| It's official: Devon is the best place to live | |
|  | | Torquay marina in glorious sunshine |
| | Those of us who live here in glorious Devon already know it - but now it's official: Devon IS the best place to live in England.
The county has come out top in a national survey. |
| | | Devon has been voted the best place to live in England - seeing off all the other counties by a big margin.
The county topped a league table of 37 shire counties in England, in a survey carried out by Country Life magazine.
Devon came out on top because of its scenery, tranquility, wildlife, pubs, historic buildings, low crime rate, and the general quality of life here.
 | | The old world charm of Clovelly |
With a stunning coastline along the north and south; scenic hedge-lined fields; picturesque towns and villages, and, of course, unique Dartmoor, Devon easily topped the table.
Devon scored 72pts in the survey - eight points ahead of second placed Cornwall and Gloucestershire.
There were 13 categories, with the highest mark available being 10. Devon scored a maximum 10 for landscape value, and nine for tranquility.
The survey is a real boost to the county's tourism industry.
 | | The beach at Beer |
Chief executive of South West Tourism, Malcolm Bell, said: "This survey shows that this is not just something that tourism boards say. This result reflects that people actually believe it."
And the deputy leader of Devon County Council, Brian Greenslade, said the poll only emphasised what people in Devon already know.
"The survey is proof - if any were needed - that Devon is in a field of its own. Devon really is a very green and pleasant land with two very long coastlines," he added.
And Country Life explained why Devon is the best: "Devon basks in a sunny climate, typically enjoying 1,464 bright sunshine hours a year.
 | | A thatched cottage in Cockington |
"It has 300 miles of exquisite coastline, the bleak beauty of Dartmoor, a chunk of unspoilt Exmoor, as well as its characteristic combes, vast hanging copses of oak and beech, and rugged, still-healthy rivers."
Another factor was the crime rate: Devon had 4,000 burglaries in 2000-01 compared to double that figure in Kent and Staffordshire.
The people of Staffordshire and Hertfordshire weren't so impressed by the survey - their counties came bottom of the "Best Place to Live" league.
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