Study names Norfolk one of the best counties in England

Travel experts at The Telegraph ranked each of the 48 English counties from best to worst - and Norfolk came very close to the top in seventh place.

Many of Norfolk's points were awarded for its picturesque coastline.

A couple strolling on Cromer beach (Image: Denise Bradley)

Four of its beaches - Cromer, Sheringham, East Runton and West Runton - have been given Blue Flag Awards and a 56-mile stretch of the north Norfolk coastline has been declared a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Sophie Butler, one of The Telegraph's destination experts, said: “Norfolk’s vast sandy beaches are its chief draw for visitors.

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"Even on the busiest summer day there is always space for games, kite-flying or a family picnic in the dunes.” 

The Norfolk Broads and seven RSPB reserves were also significant scorers.

A boat sailing the Norfolk Broads (Image: Denise Bradley)Some other positive points noted include Norfolk's lack of any towns and cities with a population above 150,000 and low average annual rainfall of 668mm.

Devon placed in first, followed by Cumbria in second and North Yorkshire in third.

The study was a repeat of one completed in 2022, in which Norfolk came ninth.