A country town less than an hour's drive across the Welsh border has been named the best place to live in the UK.
Located just south of Gloucester, Stroud has topped the Sunday Times' annual list of the best places to live across the country.
Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Five Valleys, the Cotswolds market town is within a half hour drive of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Bristol, while you can also be at either London Paddington or Cardiff Central in around 90 minutes if you take the train.
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Stroud also boasts a number of historic buildings due to its industrial heritage, including a series of old woollen mills which serve as a reminder of when the town was a thriving textiles producer. The stunning Stroudwater Canal, which is currently being restored, is also worth a visit, My London reports.
Foodies are also in luck thanks to the town's exciting culinary scene. Not only does it brag 16 Michelin guide restaurants, there are also several independent food stores and bistros as well as a huge farmers' market regarded as one of the best in the country.
With so much stunning countryside surrounding Stroud, there are a number of well-established walks nearby, with Minchinhampton and Selsley commons both popular with hikers.
There is also a lively creative scene, with the market town brimming with independent shops, museums and galleries, as well as hosting several annual music and arts festivals.
The Sunday Times review said Stroud "knows how to celebrate all things local," and lauded its "independent spirit" - with local residents also praising the town's sense of community.
Stroud resident Dale Vince told the newspaper: "The people are brilliant and there’s a real creative and alternative scene, and I really like the fact that it’s an industrial, working town surrounded by all this lush countryside."
Dominic Salter, who has lived in the town for 30 years, added: "There are all sorts of things going on here, but everyone has the aim of keeping Stroud independent and local."
If all this wasn't enough for families looking to relocate, the town also has a selection of 'outstanding schools', which featured in the Parent Power Guide, while air quality in the area is also very good.
House prices in Stroud start at around £195,000 for a starter home, and peak at an upper range of around £500,000, while the average rental price is about £700 pcm, according to property data analyst twentyci.
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