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New analysis has shown which counties in England are the best to live in, ranking them based on a number of categories.
Regions across England were ranked on their nature, history, crime rates, and other factors to determine which is the best.
The data even includes other, more specific points of comparison such as gold courses, restaurants, properties, and sport.
Carried out by the Telegraph, all 48 English counties were ranked with the top 10 revealed.
Below is a breakdown of the results, including the top 5 and a full list of the 48 counties in order of their ranking.
1. Devon
Devon secured top spot thanks to its beautiful scenery, peaceful coasts, and wealth of history.
Two national parks, five National Landscapes, and 14 blue flag beaches all contributed to Devon’s impressive score.
Suzy Bennett, destination expert, told the Telegraph: “Holidays in Devon are simple, wholesome and old-fashioned. A trip here mixes two of life’s loveliest pleasures: delicious food and the great outdoors.”
2. Cumbria
Cumbria finished in an impressive second place. Natural beauty played a big role with the Lake District’s stunning walking routes, waterfalls, and serene villages boosting the score.
The country was also hailed for its great coastlines and 14 Michelin-star restaurants.
History buffs can also enjoy the 25 National Trust listings and 24 English Heritage properties.
Cumbria expert Helen Pickles added: “With more than a dozen lakes, craggy fells, tumbling waterfalls, and timeless villages of whitewashed cottages, the pull is irresistible.”
3, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire made the podium in the list of English counties, Most Brits will be familiar with its natural beauty thanks to the Yorkshire Dales.
The Forest of Bowland, Howardian Hills, Nidderdale and North Pennines are among the other attractions for those who love the countryside.
You can also find a number of great seaside towns like Filey, Scarborough and Whitby.
Museums, English Heritage properties and luxury hotels were also listed as big assets for North Yorkshire.
However, weather is where the region falls short. North Yorkshire has an annual 1,386 hours of sunshine, the fourth lowest in England.
Expert Ms Pickles added: “One of the charms of Yorkshire is its ability to surprise, effortlessly segueing from one landscape to another, and from bustling town to empty horizon.”
4. Cornwall
Cornwall is one of the most popular locations in the UK for holidaymakers thanks to its beaches and coastal towns.
The weather is also great, basking in 1,636 hours of sunshine each year.
Food is a major attraction here too, with four Michelin-starred restaurants and loads of great local produce. And you can’t forget about a Cornish pasty.
If peace and quiet is your thing, Cornwall is also a great option because of its lack of cities and motorways. Although this can make your journeys longer than expected.
Cornwall expert Gill Charlton said: “A few days of breathing fresh, clean Cornish air, eating fish straight from the sea and sleeping deeply in a clifftop eyrie is the perfect antidote to the stress of city living.”
5. Somerset
Somerset is, in many ways, an archetypal English county. Bath is always a great place to spend a day out with its traditional architecture and rich history.
There is also a wealth of stunning rural landscapes such as Blackdown Hills, The Cotswolds, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs, Mendip Hills, and Quantock Hills.
Like Cornwall, local food is also a major strength for Somerset thanks to produce like West Country Lamb, West Country Beef, and Exmoor Jersey Blue cheese.
But it also has a lack of motorways, no high-speed rail, and no international airport.
Expert on the area Natalie Paris said: “Somerset’s landscapes are rich in legend, from the lush fields of ‘Avalon’ to Cheddar Gorge and the wilds of Exmoor.”
The 48 counties of England were ranked as follows.
48. Bedfordshire
47. Bristol
46. City of London
45. Merseyside
44. East Riding
43. Northamptonshire
42. Hertfordshire
41. Warwickshire
40. Leicestershire
39. Durham
38. Tyne and Wear
37. Greater Manchester
36. West Midlands
35. Buckinghamshire
34. Isle of Wight
33. Rutland
32. South Yorkshire
31. Cambridgeshire
30. Nottinghamshire
29. Staffordshire
28. Herefordshire
27. West Yorkshire
26. Cheshire
25. Derbyshire
24. Lincolnshire
23. Worcestershire
22. Berkshire
21. Lancashire
20. Essex
19. Shropshire
18. Oxfordshire
17. Surrey
16. West Sussex
15. Suffolk
14. East Sussex
13. Wiltshire
12. Gloucestershire
11. Northumberland
10. Greater London
9. Dorset
8. Hampshire
7. Norfolk
6. Kent
5. Somerset
4. Cornwall
3. North Yorkshire
2. Cumbria
1. Devon
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