They sit 50 miles apart on either side of Suffolk but together exemplify the county’s finest qualities.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sunday Times best places to live include Bury St Edmunds.Sunday Times best places to live include Bury St Edmunds.

Residents of Aldeburgh and Bury St Edmunds don’t need reminding of their appeal – but now its official, with both named among the top 50 towns and suburbs to live in Britain.

One a seaside sanctuary, the other an historic borough, they are listed in the third part of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, published on Sunday.

In 2013, Aldeburgh was named Britain’s best place for culture, thanks to its annual music, food, poetry and documentary film festivals.

Add to that a stunning shingle beach, independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and Aldeburgh is the perfect place to call home.

Tony Bone, chairman of the Aldeburgh Society, said: “It’s quite a healthy environment to live in – relatively dry with a brisk east wind.

“It’s a town with a sense of community, a thriving arts and social scene. We have a lot of history, an eclectic mix of architecture and we’re not overrun with new developments.”

Bury St Edmunds, which was also included in last year’s list of Best Places to Live, is famed for its cathedral and Abbey Gardens.

Charles Dickens called it a “handsome little town, of thriving and cleanly appearance”, while Daniel Defoe once wrote: “It is a town fam’d for its pleasant situation and wholesome air, the Montpelier of Suffolk, and perhaps of England.”

Bury St Edmunds Town Council chairman, Stefan Oliver called it a “visually and historically fascinating” place to live.

“You can walk down any street and see a patchwork of English history,” he said. “Some buildings have been here a thousands years and are still standing.

“As well as enjoying the past, we have a new shopping centre that is totally stunning. We have more than 80 restaurants and cafes, so you can eat your way around the world. Coaches come from Manchester to visit the market.”

Norfolk’s Burnham Market and Wymondham also made it into the top 50, which will be revealed in full on Sunday, along with the overall Best Place to Live in Britain.