Guy Robinson
Senior Director, Head of Residential Agency
According to the annual ‘Happy at Home’ survey from Rightmove, Spa towns have come out on top. We take a look at the characteristics that influence happiness and the towns and cities topping the list.
Over 17,000 people across 159 areas in Great Britain took part in the study to determine the happiest places to live in Britain.
So, what makes a town happy?
Characteristics such as community spirit, a sense of belonging and the feeling of acceptance within a community ranked higher than a sense of affluence and accessible services. Below are the top ten happiest places to live in the UK. Did your town make the cut?
1. Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
From regency buildings to independent boutiques, this is the town that ‘has it all’, according to its Mayor, Caroline Evetts. Dotted with lush green parks and tree-lined promenades, the inland town of Royal Leamington Spa scored highly for friendly neighbours and a strong sense of belonging.
If you're keen to buy property in the most uplifting town in the UK, this charming converted barn-house in the hamlet of Chadshunt, complete with three en-suite bedrooms, a double garage, and views of the unspoilt rural countryside, might tick all the boxes.
2.Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
Leigh-on-Sea remains so popular for British homeowners that average asking prices have risen by 15% in recent years. Located – as the name suggests – on the sea, this quaint fishing village is a cornucopia of seaside restaurants, sunset views and laid-back beach-combers that make the town a cheery and relaxing place to be. There’s plenty to keep people occupied too, including sports and arts activities.
3.Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire
As well as the quaint countryside villages and plethora of hiking trails weaving throughout the area, residents here enjoy high employment rates and good schools.
Located relatively inland, these areas are also within walking distance of areas of breathtaking natural beauty, such as the Red Rocks at Thurstaston and the award-winning Port Sunlight.
This beautiful country house with views across the Cheshire plain, would make a stunning family home in the heart of Cheshire.
4.Harrogate, North Yorkshire
It’s not just the Victorian heritage and bustling tea rooms that keep people happy in the rural spa town of Harrogate. Upkeep of the area and safety ranked highly, with most survey participants reporting that they felt a sense of pride from living in the town.
Harrogate is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is made up of four charming market villages. While each village has its own distinct character, vibrant colours and a welcoming atmosphere are common threads which weave through each.
Lund House Green is a five-bedroom country house sitting on the southern edge of Harrogate. Idyllic cherry blossoms bloom outside, which, together with the period features of the house, encompass the charm of Harrogate.
5.Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
With great connections to London, leafy green streets and a buzzing café culture, this historic town shows that there’s life outside the capital.
Rolling, pine-covered hills surround Royal Tunbridge Wells, offering ample opportunities for exploring the outdoors, while the town itself - with a lake, streets of clean white buildings and plenty of eateries - gives the impression of constant summer.
The Green is a stunning period property with an extensive garden, nine bedrooms and an idyllic tree-lined drive, retaining Kent's summery ambience.
6.King's Lynn, Norfolk
With its beautiful coastlines and lively nightlife, there’s plenty to keep occupants of King’s Lynn happy. Residents and visitors to the area enjoy the best of both worlds – a modern and lively town centre with charming, historical influences weaved throughout.
With excellent food festivals such as Feast on the Street and plenty of independent restaurants and cafés, it’s no surprise residents of King's Lynn believe theirs is one of the best towns to eat – and live – in the UK.
7.Epsom, Surrey
If it’s a sense of community that keeps you happy, then Epsom is the town for you. It boasts many voluntary organisations focused on community & well-being, along with thriving Rotary and Rotaract clubs.
The characterful market town also has vast amounts of legally-protected open space and recreation grounds, offering an abundance of activities for locals.
8.Richmond upon Thames, London
Thoughtful neighbours, deer-filled parks and picturesque river views make Richmond popular with its inhabitants and visitors from all over the world.
A quick commute from the centre of London, Richmond boasts stunning natural surroundings, and with Kew Gardens nearby, it allows people to escape the bustle of city-life and breathe in the fresh country air.
With an abundance of fabulous restaurants, quirky bars and individual boutiques, Richmond makes a great choice in which to purchase a family home, such as the handsome Cedarwood house perched just off the picturesque Ham Common.
9.Poole, Dorset
With the highest life expectancy in Britain, residents can expect to live a long and happy life in Dorset. And, with 364 more hours of sunshine throughout the year in comparison to the UK average, the years spent in Dorset are sure to be sunny ones.
The town has great rail links to London, as well as ports connecting to the Channel Islands, Europe and beyond.
Situated on Britain's south coast, Dorset glows with a lazy, laid-back, seaside ambience that's hard to match. Historical castles, lush gardens and a wide choice of one-off eateries make this cheering area a wonderful choice in which to settle a family.
Idyllic farmhouses abound the Dorset countryside, including Compton Abbas, a period farmhouse straight from a fairytale.
10. Chichester, West Sussex
Mixing the old and the new, residents here enjoy both the history and modern attractions of Chichester. The streets skirt around the central, sky-piercing Chichester Cathedral, and are adorned with one-off shops, cafes, and a flurry of art galleries.
With so much biking, hiking and sailing on offer, locals are spoilt for choice for healthy outdoor activities.
Characterful properties are abundant in Chichester – not least this 17th century red brick family home.