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The 10 happiest places to live in Britain

Words by Amy Packham

We love to hear news about positivity, optimism and hope – so it's always interesting to hear where the happiest places to live are.

Every year, RightMove asks people in Great Britain to tell them how they feel about where they live. "We ask people what they love about their local areas, and what makes a place really feel like home," they say.  

The annual survey is now in its 11th year, and this year they heard from more than 21,000 people living in towns, cities and villages up and down the nation.  

Residents score their local areas on things like community spirit, and how much access they have to nature and green spaces, as well as artistic and cultural activities. 

“Our Happy at Home survey really shows that the things that make people happy to live in their area are not so much the physical aspects of that area but more the personal aspects, such as our sense of belonging, the community and the people,” says our property expert, Tim Bannister.  

“The last few months have undoubtedly been difficult for many, and as we learned during another difficult period in 2020, this is often when we look to our local area and community for support and happiness,” he adds. 

So, which locations in Great Britain have been voted the happiest by the people that live in them?

1. St Ives, South West

2. Galashiels, Scotland

3. Woodbridge, East of England

4. Hexham, North East

5. Perth, Scotland

6. Harrogate, Yorkshire and The Humber

7. Anglesey, Wales

8. Bury St Edmunds, East of England

9. Stirling, Scotland

10. Cirencester, South West

This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs