DERBYSHIRE: County hailed after release of top guide

The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live guide highlights 13 locations across the Midlands – including Buxton – as being among the UK’s finest.

Apart from the Peak District market town, however, Derbyshire does not feature anywhere else in the list.

David James, chief executive at tourist board Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, said: “There’s no better place to live in or visit.

“You don’t get many places as beautiful as Derbyshire.

“We’ve got so much on our doorstep: Chatsworth House, breathtaking scenery and stunning market towns – I could go on and on.”

Readers have heaped praise on the renowned county on the Derbyshire Times’ social networking sites.

On Facebook, Craig Mason said: “Derbyshire, God’s own country, should be on the list in first position.”

Emily Barrie said: “Derbyshire is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever lived in. I’ve been all over the Midlands and Wales and the south and I can honestly say I’m happiest in Derbyshire. Next to Dorset it’s the most beautiful county in the UK.”

Diane Cullimore added: “We are incredibly lucky to live in Derbyshire. We’d never want to leave.”

On Twitter, @ChesterfieldBoy tweeted: “Derbyshire is a fantastic county to live in.”

The Sunday Times has compiled the annual guide based on a number of factors including house prices, life expectancy, crime statistics, cultural attractions and natural beauty.

In the list, the newspaper describes Buxton as “a rural combo to suit culture vultures and active types” and adds “there’s always something to do here”.

Helen Davies, home editor at the Sunday Times, said: “It was a challenge to narrow down the guide especially when some of the regions are so large – the Midlands is one such area and there are plenty of places that we wish we could have included.”