Our Venture Out series surveys counties within striking distance of London that you may want to explore for your next home. When considering a move out of the capital, a county with the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK is going to be hard to beat, so we’ve rounded up the best places to live in Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire in south-west England is frequently rated as the best place to live in the country and it’s easy to see why. Comprising three main areas – the Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean, and the Severn Vale with the buzzing towns of Cheltenham and Cirencester along with plentiful historic villages to choose from – the hardest decision will be which to call home.

If a move from the capital has you fearful of too much quiet, not enough culture, the spa town of Cheltenham will change your mind, given it is home to more festivals than any other place in the UK, from literature and jazz to food and drink, science and cricket – and let’s not forget the horses. Sitting on the edge of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham is an elegant, cultured town and was recently named the best place to raise a family in the UK by The Daily Telegraph. Its draw is a mix of Regency architecture with a vibrant community, outstanding schools from Cheltenham Ladies’ College to Pates Grammar, and a direct train service to London Paddington in just over two hours.

A past highlight was this Roger Dyer designed house with its clean, single-storey, open-plan layout in the sought-after location of Leckhampton. Taking inspiration from the Eichler concept, it brings California modernism to Cheltenham.

For many, a move out of London to Gloucestershire is driven by the desire for a secluded spot in a Cotswolds village, complete with a sprawling garden and local pub within walking distance. The Grade II-listed Old School House in Mickleton is approached via a quiet lane through the village centre. A short walk away are not one, but two local pubs: The Butcher’s Arms and The King’s Arms along with the Three Ways House Hotel. The Arts and Crafts-inspired gardens at Hidcote are within easy walking distance too. If commuting to London is still on the agenda, Honeybourne station is less than ten minutes’ drive from the house with journey times of around one hour and 40 minutes into Paddington.

If a bucolic village is more your speed, Upper Slaughter is often described as a quintessential Cotswold village, close to the River Eye and with a smattering of vernacular stone buildings (don’t be put off by the name — it comes from the old English term ‘Slough’ meaning ‘Wet Land’). Within the village is the Michelin starred restaurant, Atrium, within Lords of the Manor Hotel under head chef Charles Smith. Nearby is Eyford Park, the Queen Anne-style house, where John Milton was supposedly inspired to write Paradise Lost. Previous sales have included The Gasworks by the celebrated Chris Dyson Architects, and overlooks open fields and woodland. The design blends traditional Cotswold stone from the original gasworks with a light-filled extension.

Providing a gateway to several walking and cycling routes, the village of Gretton resides within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Beauty, at the foot of the western scarp of the Cotswolds. The Blacksmith’s Shop, clad in a beautifully charred Siberian larch with full-height glazing, is for sale in this highly sought-after location. There is easy access to the motorway network from Gretton, with the M5 junction nine approximately seven miles to the west. Cheltenham is just nine miles away and, for closer amenities, Winchcombe and Tewkesbury has a good selection. Daylesford Farm, Pittville Park, Sandford Parks Lido and Sudeley Castle are also popular local highlights.

Further removed from village life, on a wooded hillside in the Forest of Dean with picture-perfect views of rolling hills, this striking concrete home designed by renowned architects Loyn & Co has won many design awards. Set on a four-acre plot, the home includes a fully insulated summer house, raised growing beds, and a grazing meadow with shelter. The house itself is long and low with one open façade revealing the far-reaching views of the beautiful Wye Valley. It’s located near Brockweir village, where a traditional pub and local community shop can be found, and within easy reach is Tintern with its Abbey and Kingstone microbrewery. If taking in the scenic vistas feels too relaxing, there are outdoor activities from climbing, riding and caving to river pursuits all available in the local area.