The 10 happiest places to live in the UK revealed
Rightmove said residents of Skipton ranked it particularly highly for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the people, and access to essential services such as schools
A bustling market town in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in 2025.
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The medieval town of Skipton topped Rightmove’s annual survey with its well-preserved castle and stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales.
Attractions within the town include a traditional high street marketplace, a shopping arcade, a museum, and an array of independent shops. Tourists and locals can pop into pubs or chat over cups of tea, or wander down Skipton’s cobbled streets and canal paths.
Rightmove pointed to the town’s access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the people, and access to essential services such as schools.
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Residents also praised Skipton for feeling they can be themselves there, and for the affordability of the area, feeling they earn enough to live comfortably.
The average asking price for a home in Skipton is £326,093, which is lower than the current national average of £364,833, Rightmove said.
The town took the top spot after being placed at number six in last year’s study, and in second place in 2020.
Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley in Yorkshire, said: “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.”
With its principal office located near the castle, Skipton Building Society is a major employer in the area.
Ian Rigarlsford, who works in corporate affairs at Skipton Building Society, said: “Skipton is a place where community genuinely means something, and that’s what makes living and working here so special.
“The friendliness of the town, the accessibility of green spaces, and the incredible backdrop of Skipton Castle and the Yorkshire Dales all contribute to a quality of life that’s hard to match.
“From lunchtime walks to simply enjoying the views from our office, the balance this town offers is remarkable.
“It’s no surprise Skipton has been named the happiest place to live; it’s a town where people look out for each other, and that spirit creates a truly rewarding place to call home.”Skipton overcame the London areas of Richmond upon Thames and Camden, which placed second and third in the list.
Residents of Richmond also ranked it highly for its access to nature and essential local services, as well as non-essential amenities such as restaurants and shops, Rightmove said.
It added that this year’s study marks the first time Camden has taken a “podium spot” in 14 years of the research being collected.
Amy Reynolds, head of sales at London-based estate agent Antony Roberts, said of Richmond: “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 cafes, 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.”
While Skipton came out on top of this year’s list, on average, residents in the South West are the happiest with where they live, and those in the East Midlands are least happy, Rightmove said.
But it added the margins are small, and overall more people across Britain are happy than unhappy with where they live.
Of those who believe they would be happier living in a different area, the South West of England is the most popular destination to want to move.
People who live in a rural location are more likely to say they feel happy where they lived than urban and suburban dwellers. Riverside, woodland or coastal locations are also more likely to have happy residents.
Residents aged 18 to 24 are the least likely to be satisfied with where they live and people aged 65 and over are the most likely to feel happy about where they live.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said: “Each year our study celebrates all the different things that make us feel happy with where we live – our neighbours, green spaces, having access to important services.
“A lot more goes into choosing an area to live other than the home itself. Being within easy reach of nature and green spaces regularly comes out as an important factor for people, along with having friendly neighbours and feeling you can truly be yourself where you live.
“It’s great to see the town of Skipton getting the attention it deserves this year having ranked highly in previous studies.”
Here’s Rightmove’s list of the happiest places to live across the UK, alongside the average home asking price and the average asking rent per month:
1. Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £326,093, £1,038
2. Richmond upon Thames, London, £942,522, £3,189
3. Camden, 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