A new nationwide survey has revealed the locations where Britons feel most content with their lives, with a picturesque Yorkshire market town taking the top honour for 2025.
Skipton Tops the National Rankings
According to the annual Rightmove Happy at Home Index, the lively market town of Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain. The study, published on Friday 5 December 2025, is based on responses from more than 19,500 people across the country who opted into the property portal's research.
Skipton, which boasts a well-preserved medieval castle and acts as a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, jumped from sixth place last year to claim the number one spot. Residents praised the area highly for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the community, and good access to essential services like schools. Affordability was also a key factor, with locals feeling their earnings allowed for a comfortable life. The average asking price for a home in Skipton is £326,093, notably lower than the national average of £364,833.
"Skipton is a place where community genuinely means something, and that's what makes living and working here so special," said Ian Rigarlsford from Skipton Building Society.
However, the town scored less highly for its proximity to employment opportunities and desirable jobs, and for residents living close to friends and family.
London Boroughs and Regional Winners
The runners-up in this year's index were both prestigious London boroughs. Richmond-upon-Thames secured second place, with residents valuing its blend of natural beauty—including Richmond Park—and excellent local amenities. Camden took third, marking its first appearance on the podium in the 14-year history of the study.
The research also identified regional champions. Stirling was named the happiest place in Scotland, while Anglesey topped the list for Wales. On a broader regional level, the survey found that residents of the South West of England are, on average, the happiest with where they live, while those in the East Midlands reported the lowest levels of satisfaction.
The Full Top 10 List for 2025
- Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Richmond upon Thames, London
- Camden, London
- Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Woodbridge, East of England
- Altrincham, North West
- Macclesfield, North West
- Stirling, Scotland
- Cirencester, South West
- Hexham, North East
Nature and Age: The Key Drivers of Happiness
The study uncovered clear trends about what makes people happy with their location. People living in rural areas are significantly more likely to report happiness than those in urban or suburban settings. Similarly, homes situated in riverside, woodland, or coastal locations are linked to higher resident contentment.
Proximity to protected natural beauty also plays a major role. Residents who live close to a national park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are typically happier than those who do not.
Furthermore, the research indicated that happiness with one's home area tends to increase with age. Analysts suggest this could be partly because older residents often have larger housing budgets, allowing them greater choice in where they settle.
