Skipton in North Yorkshire has claimed the crown as Britain’s happiest place to live for 2025, marking the first time the charming market town has reached the top spot.
The results come from Rightmove’s 14th annual Happy at Home Index, which surveyed thousands of residents across more than 200 areas throughout Great Britain.
Locals gave the town particularly high marks for its easy access to nature and green spaces, the warmth of its people, and the availability of essential services, including schools and doctors.
Sitting on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton has been climbing the rankings steadily, finishing second in 2020 and sixth last year before finally taking first place in 2025.
Rightmove’s property expert, Colleen Babcock, said: “Each year our study celebrates all the different things that make us feel happy with where we live – our neighbours, green spaces, and having access to important services. A lot more goes into choosing an area to live in 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.”
Residents also loved that they could be themselves in the town and felt they earned enough to live comfortably there.
Head of Residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley in Yorkshire, Patrick McCutcheon, said: “Combining community, countryside, and communication – Skipton has it all.
‘A beautiful setting amidst some of the region’s finest countryside’
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‘It’s great to see the town of Skipton getting the attention it deserves this year’
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“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.”
He highlighted the town’s excellent transport links, with Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate, and the M65 all within easy reach for work and leisure. Regular train services also run to London King’s Cross from the town’s station.
Mr McCutcheon also pointed to the historic castle overlooking the colourful High Street market, plus the Leeds-Liverpool canal, Pennine Way, and surrounding moors offering endless opportunities for walking and cycling.
Both residents and visitors are captivated by Skipton’s natural beauty, community feel, and enduring charm.
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Skipton is home to grand historic castles, idyllic countryside, and bustling markets
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Top attractions in Skipton include Skipton Castle, Thornton Hall Country Park, Hesketh Farm Park, Skipton Castle Woods, and Skipton Market.
On TripAdvisor, visitors describe Skipton Castle Woods as “brilliant” and “stunning”, praising its lush greenery and cascading waterfalls.
Meanwhile, “wonderful and affordable” Hesketh Farm Park makes for “the perfect day out’, and Skipton Market is “most delightful”, drawing in enthusiastic shoppers “even on a rainy day”.
The average asking price for a home in Skipton currently sits at £326,093, which is below the national average of £364,833 and makes it the second most affordable location in the top 10 happiest places.
Beyond the Yorkshire Dales, Richmond-upon-Thames in London took second place, with Camden claiming third for the first time in the index’s 14-year history.
The study also found that people living in rural areas tend to be happier than those in urban or suburban settings.
Those residing near national parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty reported higher happiness levels on average.
Stirling topped the rankings in Scotland, while Anglesey came out on top in Wales.
Happiest places to live in Great Britain
- Yorkshire and the Humber – Skipton
- Greater London – Richmond upon Thames
- East of England – Woodbridge
- North West – Altrincham
- Scotland – Stirling
- South West
- North East
- West Midlands
- South East
- Wales – Anglesey
- East Midlands – Chesterfield