Your situation and surroundings have a huge impact on your health, wellbeing and even happiness. According to one study, released last year, people living in certain cities in the UK are happier than others.

Research carried out by job website Glassdoor determined which locations are home to residents who are thriving rather than surviving, based on more than 100,000 anonymous employer reviews.

Its research team took into account overall job satisfaction, career opportunities, culture and values, positive business outlook, compensation and benefits, senior leadership, and work-life balance.

From this they ranked the areas of the country where workers are happiest, giving each spot a score out of five.

One city, which placed highly, is perhaps most famous for its educational roots above anything else.

According to the survey, Oxford in Oxfordshire, was one of the top 10 happiest places to live and work in the UK.

With a score of 3.8 it placed joint eighth with Manchester, and beaten on the number one spot by its rival city of Cambridge.

But what makes Oxford such a desirable place to live?

For many people the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Oxford is its historic university.

Believed to be founded around 1096, the establishment is seen globally as one of the best places of learning in the world.

Even if you are not there to attend one of its colleges you can still enjoy the historic architecture of the university, which is dotted around the city.

In fact, the university owns 239 buildings and takes up more than 80 football pitches-worth of space.

But it is not the only university in the city. Combined with Oxford Brooks university, it means there are more than 40,000 students living in Oxford.

Visit England encapsulates the impact of the university on the city’s landscape. It says: “A skyline of dreaming spires, domed theatres and college gargoyles, Oxford inspires.

“Chain up your bike outside university colleges to peek past the porters onto quadrant lawns. The last time we counted there were 38.”

But if this is of no interest to you there is still plenty to enjoy and discover in the city.

“Pack up picnics for pauses in wonderful attractions including deer parks, meadow flood plains and exotic botanic gardens in this central-southern city,” it continues.

“Be brave and try punting while you’re visiting for the weekend. It’s the best way to see the River Isis in all its glory.

“After dark squeeze into side-street city pubs with rowdy students or master the arts at fringe theatres.”

There are also a number of fun venues in the city with restaurants, clubs, bars and pubs making for a decent nightlife.

The full list of the 10 happiest places to live and work in the UK is:

• Cambridge (3.91)
• Brighton (3.88)
• Bristol (3.87)
• Newcastle (3.87)
• London (3.85)
• Leeds (3.84)
• Nottingham (3.81)
• Manchester (3.8)
• Oxford (3.8)
• Cardiff (3.77).