Where are the happiest places to live in Great Britain?
- Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain in our annual study
- In second place is Richmond-upon-Thames in London, and in third place is Camden in London
- Stirling is the happiest place in Scotland, and Anglesey tops the list in Wales
Now in its 14th year, our annual Happy at Home Index explores exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlights the happiest places in Great Britain for 2025.
Thousands of residents across more than 200 locations told us what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of neighbours, to job opportunities and access to green spaces. The survey also outlines some interesting findings, including the differences in happiness in rural, urban and suburban environments, as well as the way in which our sense of home happiness changes as we age.
Happiest areas to live in Great Britain
| Rank | Place | Region | Average Asking Price | Average Asking Rent (per calendar month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skipton | Yorkshire and the Humber | £326,093 | £1,038 |
| 2 | Richmond upon Thames | Greater London | £942,522 | £3,189 |
| 3 | Camden | Greater London | £1,036,768 | £3,523 |
| 4 | Harrogate | Yorkshire and the Humber | £394,355 | £1,535 |
| 5 | Woodbridge | East of England | £462,734 | £1,309 |
| 6 | Altrincham | North West | £643,244 | £2,968 |
| 7 | Macclesfield | North West | £344,807 | £1,407 |
| 8 | Stirling | Scotland | £226,547 | £1,208 |
| 9 | Cirencester | South West | £472,990 | £1,975 |
| 10 | Hexham | North East | £331,198 | £967 |
Want to see how your local area fared? Take a look at the full Happy at Home 2025 rankings here.
What makes a town or city genuinely happy?
In this year’s survey, as in previous years, we saw that many of the ingredients to happiness at home are simple things that make daily life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
A sense of belonging and wellbeing
Feeling part of a community is among the strongest drivers of happiness. Being surrounded by welcoming neighbours and within close proximity to friends and family can drive a real sense of belonging and connection.
Safety also plays an important role, as does access to essential services such as schools, hospitals and employment opportunities.
How environment shapes daily life
This year’s survey shows how the physical environment of a town or a city can have a major bearing on happiness. Green spaces were shown to be one of the most valued features in the Index, offering places to relax, exercise, and connect with nature.
Those who lived in a rural location were more likely to say they felt happy where they lived than urban and suburban dwellers. Riverside, woodland or coastal locations were more likely to have happy residents, while the study also revealed that those who live close to a national park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are happier on average than those who don’t.
At the same time, walkability and vibrant high streets also matter to people. Being able to stroll to local shops or make use of a bustling town centre adds convenience to everyday life.
Trends that shape happiness
Clearly, there are many different layers that combine to influence what is or isn’t a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Interestingly, this year’s survey shows that our happiness with where we live often grows with age. Residents aged 18-24 were the least likely to say they felt happy where they live. Happiness then increases through the age brackets, with those aged 65 and over being the most likely to feel happy with where they live.
Skipton named the happiest Town in Great Britain for 2025
In evaluating all these various factors, Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain for 2025. Having previously come in second in 2020 and sixth in last year’s Happy at Home Index, Skipton has topped the list ahead of more than 200 locations that were involved in this year’s study.
The market town was ranked highest by residents for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the people, and access to essential services like schools and doctors. They also ranked it highly for feeling they can be themselves there, the affordability of the area, and feeling they earned enough to live comfortably. It was ranked less highly for its access to employment opportunities, and residents living nearby to friends and family.
Patrick McCutcheon, Head of Residential at Dacre Son & Hartley in Yorkshire says: “Combining community, countryside and communication – Skipton has it all. A highly desirable living environment with immediate access to The Dales and a beautiful setting amidst some of the region’s finest countryside, and only a little more than an hour from The Lake District.
“Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the M65, with its Manchester links, are all easily accessible for both leisure and business. From the town’s station, there are now also regular services to London Kings Cross. The historic castle lights up the colourful High Street market whilst the Leeds / Liverpool canal, Pennine Way and surrounding moors offer endless opportunities for challenging walks, road and mountain biking and enhance the appeal of this living environment.”
The average asking price for a home in Skipton is £326,093 – lower than the current national average of £364,833. It’s also the second lowest price tag within the top ten happiest areas this year.
Which regions took the top spots?
Northern England generally performed well in this year’s Happy at Home Index. Alongside Skipton, Harrogate was the second town from Yorkshire and the Humber region to rank highly, placing fourth overall. Additionally, Altrincham, Macclesfield and Hexham were all named in the top 10.
London was also home to some of the Index’s top performing areas, with the borough of Richmond-upon-Thames taking second place. Residents ranked it highly for its access to nature and essential local services, as well as non-essential amenities such as restaurants and shops.
Amy Reynolds, Head of Sales at Antony Roberts in Richmond upon Thames, said: “Richmond has a rare ability to feel both vibrant and calming at the same time, and I think that balance is a huge part of why people are genuinely happy living here. You’re never far from green space, whether it’s Richmond Park, the towpath, or quiet pockets of nature tucked between neighbourhoods, yet you still have the cafés, independents, and community hubs that give the area its character. There’s a strong sense of connection here too; people don’t just live in Richmond, they participate in it.
Camden, meanwhile, took third, with Cirencester being the only other place in Southern England to appear in the top 10. Stirling was ranked the happiest place to live in Scotland by its residents, and Anglesey has been named the the happiest place to live in Wales for 2025.
The world’s happiest places: What can we learn?
This year’s results show that residents in the South West are the happiest with where they live, while those in the East Midlands are the least happy. However, the margins are small, and in many cases it’s the specific location – rather than region – that makes a real difference.
There are happy communities across Great Britain, and it’s important to look for the right traits when searching for a place to call home. Scandinavian countries such as Finland and Denmark consistently top international happiness charts due to their high-quality public services, social trust, and the accessibility and inclusivity of cultural life.
But these traits aren’t unique to Scandinavia. Towns with green spaces, walkable streets, and active high streets can provide the same amenities and sense of connection. Access to cultural activities – whether that’s local festivals, theatres, or community events – can also make a big difference.
How to decide where to move to next?
While these rankings can be a good place to start when thinking about what makes an area great, everyone wants something different from their next move. We’ve got lots of different tools to help you make your next move. Just some of these include:
- Draw a search: Create your own personal search area, by drawing exactly where you want to be on a map.
- My Places: See how far properties are from key locations such as family, friends, the gym, train stations, schools and more. Available on all property listings.
- AI Keywords: Use our app to search for homes using smart AI prompts. We’ll then show you the available homes that fit your needs.
- Shared Lists: Collaborate with friends and family on your search journey by sharing a lists of saved homes with others. You can create property lists and share them in a My Rightmove account.
