A NEW survey has found that Somerset is the 14th worst place to live in the UK.

The study, by uSwitch said that while the county has high rates of employment and a high life expectancy, house prices are high, and the county has a very high cost of living.

But we know how much you love your county and we've come up with 15 reasons you should do so:

1) Cider

Somerset County Gazette: Cider-maker HP Bulmer has been fined over fatal bug outbreak

The sweet product is the backbone of life here in Somerset- and there's plenty of companies around the county renowned for their own make.

From Sheppy's to Orchard Pig and of course Thatchers.

There's also plenty of smaller companies to check out too - it's summer so you have no excuse. 

2) Cheese

Somerset County Gazette: Champagne & Cheese Tasting

Cider brings us perfectly on to our next reason...cheese.

Another great staple of Somerset, because who doesn't love cheese?

Originating from the village of Cheddar, the cheese is made all over the world and is the most popular type of cheese in the UK.

3) Glastonbury Festival

Somerset County Gazette: Line-up announced for Glastonbury Festival 2013

Do we really need to even explain why this is one of the reasons? 

4) Cricket

Somerset County Gazette:

In the summertime when the weather is fine there's nothing more enjoyable than going and watching a game or two of cricket at the Cooper Associates County Ground. Even if you don't like cricket or understand it, it's a great excuse to enjoy some cider in the sun.

5) Carnivals

Somerset County Gazette: THIS year's Bridgwater Carnival attracted thousands of spectators to witness the awe-inspiring carts

Move over Rio, no one does carnival like Somerset does.

If you want to be amazed check out Bridgwater Carnival - it's one of the largest winter carnival processions, and is the only carnival to be followed by the ancient tradition of "Squibbing".

6) The West Somerset Railway 

Somerset County Gazette: Volunteers needed for West Somerset Railway events

And speaking of tradition, who could forget about the West Somerset Railway?

Did you know that it is the longest heritage railway in the UK?

Travel from Bishop's Lydeard through the stunning Somerset countryside all the way through to Minehead for a lovely day beside the seaside.

One of the great fun things you can get up to across the county.

7) The Wurzels 

Somerset County Gazette: The Wurzels

Love them or hate them, just like cider, they've become one of the great things about Somerset. 

Famed for hits including "Combine Harvester" and "I am a Cider Drinker", if you've ever been to a festival in the county, you're bound to hear one of these crackers at some point. 

8) Wellington Monument 

Somerset County Gazette:

The monument was built to celebrate the Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

It's one of Somerset's most iconic structures, visible from the M5 as you're travelling through the county.

9) Exmoor National Park

Somerset County Gazette: NATIONAL PARK: Exmoor is set to get superfast broadband

Exmoor National Park is certainly one of the most beautiful areas of our county - incorporating beaches, coastline, beautiful hills, animals, flora and fauna and of course home to Tarr Steps, what's not to love?

10) Wells Cathedral

Somerset County Gazette:

It's not difficult to see why the cathedral has been described as "unquestionably one of the most beautiful" and as "the most poetic" of English cathedrals.

11) Clevedon Pier

Somerset County Gazette: FINAL DESTINATION: The men hope to reach Clevedon Pier by 6pm.

It's been voted as the best and prettiest pier in Europe before, but did you know it's also the only Grade 1 listed pier? 

12) Cheddar Gorge 

Somerset County Gazette: Cheddar Gorge

A truly spectacular site - just look at it. Did you know it's where Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be over 9,000 years old, was found in 1903.

13) Hot Fuzz

Somerset County Gazette: Hot Fuzz

Yarp, we're claiming this. Hot Fuzz was filmed it Wells - where director Edgar Wright grew up.

14) Poets, authors and more

Somerset County Gazette: early 20th century --- The English novelist, travel writer and biographer Evelyn Waugh (1903-66).

Evelyn Waugh, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Jane Austen - three great reasons to love the county.

Just some of the great authors and poets from Somerset or whose work was inspired by Somerset. 

This year, the Friends of Coleridge are celebrating the bicentenary of the publication in 1816 of Coleridge’s visionary poem ‘Kubla Khan'.

15) Ada Lovelace 

Somerset County Gazette:

She was much more than just the daughter of poet Lord Byron.

Ada was a brilliant mathematician and is often regarded as the first computer programmer.

She lived near Porlock Wier for much of her adult life.