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Happiest place to live in Britain has been announced

Happiest place to live in Britain has been announced

And no, it's not Oldham

We know times are tough across Britain at the moment, but some places are significantly happier than others - and the happiest place of all has just been crowned.

Every year, Rightmove puts together its Happy at Home Index to determine the most blissful places to live in Britain.

The new happiest place to live in Britain has been named. Celia McMahon / Alamy Stock Photo
The new happiest place to live in Britain has been named. Celia McMahon / Alamy Stock Photo

In the 11th year of the study, more than 21,000 residents were asked how they feel about where they live, ranking 10 happiness factors, including how much they feel a sense of belonging to their area, and whether there is access to green space.

Hexham, in the north east of England, was last year's winner, but there is now a new town in the top spot... drum roll please.

Hexham is no longer in the top spot.
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

St Ives, in Cornwall, is now the happiest place to live in Great Britain, according to the study.

The seaside town has alternated with market town Hexham for first place since 2019, with the latter dropping to fourth this year.

We'll get onto the full top 20 shortly, but first of all, what makes St Ives so damn chipper?

Well, the residents of St Ives scored the area highly for its sense of community spirit, the sense of belonging the residents have, and how comfortable residents feel to be themselves.

Indeed, a sense of belonging in an area is the number one factor which contributes to someone feeling happy where they live, according to Rightmove.

St. Ives, Cornwall, topped the list.
Celia McMahon / Alamy Stock Photo

Paul Le Bas, Sales Business Development Manager at Millerson estate agents, in St Ives said: "St Ives has a vibrant and active local community that during the winter months enjoy all the local clubs and leisure facilities.

"During the summer months we get to enjoy the three award winning beaches and great surf at Porthmeor whilst joining in with the holiday makers. All year round we are able to visit the amazing restaurants and café bars, most of which are highly rated in the national press.

"The coastal walks are second to none. From Porthminster round to Clodgy the views are stunning as you look out over the turquoise seas. As the seasons change, so does the town.

"The sea shows its power with its northly swells pounding the beaches and the town becomes a winter wonderland of festive lights for Xmas. Even Father Christmas arrives on the Lifeboat."

Galashiels came in second.
phil wilkinson / Alamy Stock Photo

Fair play, you can see why you'd be smiling with all that on your doorstep.

Here are the top 20 happiest places to live in Britain, along with the average asking price for a house and for monthly rent in each location:


1. St Ives, South West, £523,731, £1,152

2. Galashiels, Scotland, £153,546, £530

3. Woodbridge, East of England, £481,978, £1,196

4. Hexham, North East, £262,265, £810

5. Perth, Scotland, £179,410, £812

6. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £381,124, £1,327

7. Anglesey, Wales, £324,048, £766

8. Bury St Edmunds, East of England, £334,160, £1,368

9. Stirling, Scotland, £197,075, £990

10. Cirencester, South West, £382,065, £1,331

11. Richmond-upon-Thames, London, £1,153,347, £3,931

12. Falmouth, South West, £373,752, £1,289

13. Monmouth, Wales, £331,844, £1,104

14. Leamington Spa, West Midlands, £383,553, £1,274

15. Worcester, West Midlands, £286,250, £1,059

16. Northwich, North West, £246,995, £942

17. Altrincham, North West, £615,246, £2,297

18. Macclesfield, North West, £292,078, £1,146

19. Newbury, South East, £380,842, £1,364

20. Llandudno, Wales, £260,245, £760

Featured Image Credit: travelbild/Alamy Jo Chambers/Alamy

Topics: UK News