Cotswold District Council councillor Jon Wareing, who represents Bourton (the Venice of the Cotswolds), was not surprised by The Times’ findings and highlighted the landscape and access to nature as some of its big draws.
The Times ranked the Cotswolds 7th out of 284 after using data such as crime rates, Ofsted reports and GP satisfaction to come to their conclusions.
Councillor Wareing said: “I think it’s something to do with the landscape and access to nature that helps people put things into perspective.
“It’s very calming and I think it’s really good for your physical and mental health.
“Big towns and cities can be challenging, relentless, brutal and at times ugly.
“We are largely the inverse of that, we are welcoming and have a positive connection with the environment which I think makes the Cotswolds a desirable place to live.”
Moving over to Stow, district councillor Dills Neill, believes the AONB speaks for itself saying ‘it’s just a beautiful place to live’.
Councillor Neill said: “It’s the AONB which speaks for itself.
“Stow is quite exceptional, it has historic buildings and a fantastic community spirit.
“It’s just a beautiful place to live, people are friendly, there’s lots of reasons someone would want to live in The Cotswolds.
A large amount of independent businesses and shops as well as the occasional celebrity were some of the draws according to district councillor Gina Blomefield who represents Chipping Campden.
Councillor Blomefield said: “Where do I begin?
“We’ve got unspoilt villages and towns, a great community and it’s a beautiful place not to mention all the independent shops and businesses up and down our highstreets.
“There’s lots of beautiful homes and gardens which are unspoilt which is rare these days but it’s also not too overwhelming.
“After London we are probably the most recognised part of England which makes it a very special place to live.
“That is probably why so many celebrities choose to live here, some of them good and so of them not so good.”