St Edmundsbury and the Suffolk coast are among the top rural places to live in Britain, according to a new survey.
The annual Halifax Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey assesses the nation’s rural communities against a host of criteria, including employment and education as well as social and environmental considerations.
Uttlesford in Essex was ranked ninth, ahead of St Edmundsbury in 13th and Suffolk Coastal in 14th.
Babergh was placed 24th – one place ahead of Maldon in Essex.
South Norfolk also featured in the list at 34 while Mid Suffolk was 46th.
John Griffths, leader of St Edmundsbury Council said: “I am delighted but not surprised that St Edmundsbury has been recognised in this way.
“It’s quite a lovely part of the country not only to live and work in but to visit and enjoy.”
The most desirable rural place to live according to the survey was the Orkney Islands for the second year running.
Rutland in the East Midlands came second ahead of third-placed Wychavon in the West Midlands.
Russell Galley, managing director at Halifax, said: “With strong education and employment levels, low crime rates and residents loving life, not to mention breathtaking wide open spaces, the Orkney Islands have retained the crown of Britain’s best rural place to live.”
Looking at how rural quality of life varies across the country, he said rural areas in the South East receive higher weekly earnings, while those in the East Midlands have larger property sizes.
Mr Galley said: “On the southern coast, sunnier climates shine through in the rankings, while, lower house prices-to-earnings, wellbeing and class sizes give northern areas the desirability factor.”
The top 50
1. Orkney Islands, Scotland
2. Rutland, East Midlands
3. Wychavon, West Midlands
4. Winchester, South East
5. Waverley, South East
6. Craven, Yorkshire and the Humber
7. Richmondshire, Yorkshire and the Humber
8. Stratford-on-Avon, West Midlands
9. Uttlesford, East of England
10. Ryedale, Yorkshire and the Humber
11. South Oxfordshire, South East
12. Selby, Yorkshire and the Humber
13. St Edmundsbury, East of England
14. Suffolk Coastal, East of England
15. Purbeck, South West
16. Hambleton, Yorkshire and the Humber
17. West Oxfordshire, South East
18. Harborough, East Midlands
19. Monmouthshire, Wales
20. Eden, North West
21. South Cambridgeshire, East of England
22. Tewkesbury, South West
23. Chichester, South East
24. Babergh, East of England
25. Maldon, East of England
26. Cotswold, South West
27. Aylesbury Vale, South East
28. Wiltshire, South West
29. West Dorset, South West
30. East Devon, South West
31. Mid Devon, South West
32. Rushcliffe, East Midlands
33. Malvern Hills, West Midlands
34. South Norfolk, East of England
35. South Lakeland, North West
36. Vale of White Horse, South East
37. South Hams, South West
38. Huntingdonshire, East of England
39. Horsham, South East
40. North Warwickshire, West Midlands
41. Shetland Islands, Scotland
42. East Hampshire, South East
43. Central Bedfordshire, East of England
44. Derbyshire Dales, East Midlands
45. North Devon, South West
46. Mid Suffolk, East of England
47. East Riding of Yorkshire, Yorkshire and The Humber
48. Teignbridge, South West
49. Ribble Valley, North West
50. North Kesteven, East Midlands
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