Residents who love living in their 'friendly village' say they are not surprised that it's been ranked one of the best places to live in Nottinghamshire. According to a recent poll by Muddy Stilettos, Burton Joyce is one of the eight top places to live in the county, but is also the only village to make it onto the list.
Burton Joyce is known for its close proximity to the River Trent, and according to locals, the village has everything it could ever need, with plenty of independent businesses, such as cafés, greengrocers, pubs, a GP surgery and three pubs. The village also has great travel links, with a number of bus stops and it's own train station, allowing residents to get to Nottingham in around 20 minutes.
If that wasn't enough, Burton Joyce is also the hometown of beloved actor Matthew Horne, best known for Gavin and Stacey, as well as the hometown of actress Sherrie Hewson, best known for Coronation Street and Benidorm.
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Hypnotherapist Alison Goodall 63, says the countryside and river are her favourite things about Burton Joyce, She said: "There's a good community here, there's a lot of things going on and there's a Facebook community group. Near my house, I have a bus stop, the train station, and three pubs all within about two minutes of the house.
"It would be nice to have a butchers but we have the café and there's a lot else here." Alison explained that they are spoilt for choice with local businesses and have so many options "within a nice rural area." She added: "There's a Burton Joyce magazine where everything is announced, and we still get all the advantages of the city yet we get the countryside."
Retired, Susan Payne, 71, said: "We've only lived here for six-and-a-half years but what we liked about it, especially when we first moved, is how friendly people are. If you're walking everyone says hello to you, even when you don't know them." She described the village magazine as "a nice little book, that's where you find out a lot of things."
When asked what he loves about the village, her husband, Michael Payne, 73, said: "The walks around here, and the people are nice and friendly. There's a farm nearby that has peacocks running about as well.
"It's nice at Christmas as they actually close this road and Richard Whitehead turns the lights on for us." Susan added that she also finds it "lovely" at Christmas.
Daniel Shaw, 31, opened Nola Coffee and Deli in the village over a year ago and has described the village as "really supportive." He said: "Everyone knows each other but in a good way. You have that small village feel but it's massive.
"I think working here as well, everyone is really supporting us." Speaking of the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, Daniel added: "There are doing street parties and opening up the old school building."
Café worker and Burton Joyce resident, Kate Palmer, 51, said: "We are a friendly village, it's a really friendly village to live. When you walk down the river and everybody says hello to you.
"We've got everything here, we've got the Co-op, we've got the fish and chip shop, the pubs and we've just got everything. We've got some really lovely customers and we are known for our cookies."
Kate continued: "It really has a good sense of community here. When we have the Christmas light switch on everyone comes together.
"You wouldn't think you were in quite a big village. It's just nice that everyone is really friendly here, it's wonderful. You can walk down to Gunthorpe in 10 minutes, I just love it."
Burton Joyce resident, Matt Shaw, 57, has two dogs and has lived in the village for more than 20 years. He explained the village is great for walking, saying: "It's the walks for me and most of the people here are friendly.
"It's a nice place for everyone. Most people know everyone, and they'll know me from walking with these two."
Owner of Pooches Dog Grooming, Kelly Todd, 42, opened her business in Burton Joyce at the start of March 2023. She said: "Burton Joyce is a very special place, it's very friendly and very warming to people.
"Everyone tends to help out with everything you need to do. They are very supportive, they try and keep the high street active and they try and use local businesses which is a big thing, especially for a small village.
"It's very friendly and it feels safe, and it's just a nice place." When asked about the village's plans for the coronation, she replied: "It's been really busy. Everyone is trying to get organised for the King's Coronation and there's been meetings on that."
Kelly explained that Pooches Dog Grooming is "a little bit different to normal dog groomers" as they offer a more holistic approach to try and make it as relaxing and comforting as they can for dogs, including lots of toys and a taking a personalised approach. She said: "We wanted it to be a home from home, I don't want them to be scared when they come here."
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