Skipton named the happiest place to live in Britain for 2025
Yorkshire market town tops Rightmove’s happy at home index
The bustling market town of Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in 2025.
With a well-preserved medieval castle overlooking its centre, Skipton is surrounded by scenic views and is a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.
Attractions within the town include a traditional high street marketplace, a shopping arcade, a museum, and an array of independent shops. Tourists and locals can pop into pubs or chat over cups of tea, or wander down Skipton's cobbled streets and canal paths.
Rightmove said residents of Skipton ranked it particularly highly for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the people, and access to essential services such as schools.
Residents also praised Skipton for feeling they can be themselves there, and for the affordability of the area, feeling they earn enough to live comfortably.
Rightmove said it was ranked less highly for its access to employment opportunities and desirable jobs, and residents living nearby to friends and family.
The average asking price for a home in Skipton is £326,093, which is lower than the current national average of £364,833, Rightmove said.
The town took the top spot after being placed at number six in last year's study, and in second place in 2020.
Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley in Yorkshire, said: "Combining community, countryside and communication - Skipton has it all.
"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.
"Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the M65, with its Manchester links, are all easily accessible for both leisure and business."
With its principal office located near the castle, Skipton Building Society is a a major employer in the area.
Ian Rigarlsford, who works in corporate affairs at Skipton Building Society, said: "Skipton is a place where community genuinely means something, and that's what makes living and working here so special.
"The friendliness of the town, the accessibility of green spaces, and the incredible backdrop of Skipton Castle and the Yorkshire Dales all contribute to a quality of life that's hard to match.
"From lunchtime walks to simply enjoying the views from our office, the balance this town offers is remarkable.
"It's no surprise Skipton has been named the happiest place to live; it's a town where people look out for each other, and that spirit creates a truly rewarding place to call home."