Why this Yorkshire market town is the happiest place to live in the UK
A market town in North Yorkshire has been named Britain’s happiest place to live in 2025.
Skipton is the gateway to the Yorkshire Valleys and as a result is surrounded by natural landscapes. Recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book, it has a well-preserved 11th-century castle overlooking its centre, and has a traditional high street, a shopping arcade, a museum and a number of independent shops.
The survey, carried out by Rightmove, found Skipton residents ranked their hometown particularly highly for access to nature and green spaces, friendliness of people and access to basic services such as schools.
People also praised Skipton for the strength of its community and said they could be there too. The combination of natural beauty and friendly community makes the town of about 15,000 people special, according to Dave Forshaw, who runs live music bar and record store Skipton Sound Bar.
Originally from nearby Halifax, Mr Forshaw moved to Skipton in the 1990s and made it his home, which he described as “picturesque and beautiful”.
He reacted to the district that ranked highest in the survey Independent: “It is a very beautiful town and we have a lot of tourists coming, but the people who live here are very lovely, lovely people.
“It’s a lovely place to be. It’s a two-minute drive away on the edge of the Yorkshire Valleys and you’re in one of the most beautiful countryside, or as the Yorkshire people say, you’re in God’s country.”
According to Andrew Goodall, who runs the Wooly Sheep Inn pub, Skipton’s happiness depends on the people who live there.
He said the following about the survey: Independent: “It’s great to see. We live in a beautiful place and it’s nice to see positive reactions.
“Everyone is nice here, everyone is happy, everyone enjoys living here. It’s great to get such positive publicity.”
Skipton has a wealth of pubs, cafes and independent shops, making it both a great place to live and a major attraction for tourists, according to Mr Forshaw.
He said: “We’re obviously proud of what we do. We’re a music venue and record store and we bring a lot of people into the city.”
Mr Forshaw added of his fellow independent businesses: “It’s a good thing the town is so beautiful as the population is quite small so we get a lot of tourism and that really supports a high street.
“You know what’s going on on the high streets in towns up and down the country, but there are no empty shops on Skipton’s high street. That’s a very rare occurrence these days.”
Survey respondents were also pleased with the affordability of the area and felt they earned enough to live comfortably.
The average asking price for a house in Skipton is £326,093, which is lower than the current national average of £364,833, Rightmove said.
The town is also gaining name recognition from Skipton Building Society. It is a major employer in the region, with its main office located near the castle.
Ian Rigarlsford, who works in corporate affairs at the construction company, said: “Skipton is a place where community really means something and that’s what makes living and working here so special.
“The friendliness of the town, accessibility to green spaces and the incredible backdrop of Skipton Castle and the Yorkshire Valleys all contribute to an unparalleled quality of life.
“From lunch walks to enjoying the views from our office, the balance this town offers is remarkable.
“It’s no surprise that Skipton has been voted the happiest place to live. This is a town where people look out for each other and that spirit creates a truly rewarding place to call home.”
Richmond-upon-Thames and Camden, both in London, came second and third respectively in Rightmove’s 2025 “happy at home” index.
Rightmove said Richmond residents also rated it highly for its access to nature and essential local services, as well as non-essential amenities such as restaurants and shops.
He added that this year’s study means Camden has been “on the podium” for the first time in the 14 years the research has been collected.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, said: “Each year our work celebrates all the different things that make us happy about where we live – our neighbours, green spaces, access to essential services.
“There’s a lot more going into choosing an area to live outside the home. Having easy access to nature and green spaces on a regular basis is emerging as an important factor for people, along with having friendly neighbors and feeling like you can really be yourself where you live.”
“It’s great to see the town of Skipton, which has ranked highly in previous studies, getting the attention it deserves this year.”
