A new analysis has crowned Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean as the best place to live in England. The ranking, compiled by The Express, evaluated multiple factors including property prices, crime rates, education outcomes, and NHS waiting times.
The study considered eleven different criteria to determine the most desirable locations. Impressively, three Gloucestershire districts made it into the top ten, highlighting the county’s appeal.
Forest of Dean claimed the number one position, standing out particularly for its swift NHS treatment times, abundance of local amenities such as parks, post offices, and pubs, as well as strong secondary school performance. North Yorkshire followed in second place, while the Cotswold district—famous for its stunning Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and picturesque villages—came in third. Stroud rounded out the top four.
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While the Cotswolds boasts the lowest crime rate among the top three, with just 46 crimes per 100 people, its higher property prices—averaging £435,606—kept it from ranking higher, compared to £297,084 in the Forest of Dean.
The Forest of Dean is home to approximately 87,000 residents, according to the 2021 Census. Coleford, its largest town, recently involved locals in shaping the community’s future. Visitors will also appreciate the council’s decision to abolish the first-hour charge in council-run car parks, offering free parking for short visits since last year.
The full top ten best places to live in England are:
- Forest of Dean
- North Yorkshire
- Cotswold
- Stroud
- Mid Devon
- Wiltshire
- West Devon
- Torridge
- Teignbridge
- Ribble Valley