Where are the happiest places to live in Great Britain?
The town of Woodbridge in Suffolk has been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain, topping our annual Happy at Home Index for the very first time.
Now in its 13th year, we surveyed over 35,000 people across Great Britain to find out exactly what they love (or don’t love) about where they live.
Woodbridge residents scored the town highly for its sense of community, friendly vibe, and access to essential services like schools and healthcare.
What’s going on in Woodbridge?
Woodbridge is known for its bustling high street, as well as its close access to stunning natural scenery and countryside. The average asking price for a home in Woodbridge is £441,569, while the average advertised rent is £1,478 per calendar month.
The Mayor and Chair of Woodbridge Town Council, Councillor Robin Sanders, says: “It was a pleasure to hear Woodbridge has been ranked as the happiest place to live. The happy mood of residents is a reflection of the vibrant town centre encompassing numerous listed buildings occupied by many independent shops, pubs and restaurants, a long established and film industry renown independent cinema and, not least, a thriving historic and unique riverside area to enjoy the vista onto the beautiful River Deben estuary.”
Where else made the list?
Coming in second was the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, last year’s winner. And Hexham in Northumberland was named in third place, a previous chart-topper known for its picturesque setting and warm community feel.
In Wales, Monmouth held onto its title as the happiest spot, while Stirling took the top spot in Scotland.
Top 20 Happiest Places to Live 2025
| Rank | Place | Region | Average asking price | Average asking rent (per calendar month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodbridge | East of England | £441,569 | £1,478 |
| 2 | Richmond upon Thames | Greater London | £939,329 | £3,131 |
| 3 | Hexham | North East | £313,147 | £840 |
| 4 | Monmouth | Wales | £320,974 | £1,335 |
| 5 | Harrogate | Yorkshire and The Humber | £394,312 | £1,439 |
| 6 | Skipton | Yorkshire and The Humber | £263,479 | £1,030 |
| 7 | Sevenoaks | South East | £881,061 | £2,924 |
| 8 | Leigh on Sea | East of England | £465,542 | £1,796 |
| 9 | Cirencester | South West | £384,013 | £1,495 |
| 10 | Wokingham | South East | £590,949 | £2,120 |
| 11 | Winchester | South East | £578,760 | £2,069 |
| 12 | Stirling | Scotland | £214,441 | £1,227 |
| 13 | Stratford on Avon | West Midlands | £413,115 | £1,604 |
| 14 | Horsham | South East | £458,641 | £1,983 |
| 15 | Kendal | North West | £285,645 | £966 |
| 16 | Kensington and Chelsea | Greater London | £1,667,573 | £5,345 |
| 17 | Chorley | North West | £197,199 | £883 |
| 18 | Hove | South East | £555,193 | £1,993 |
| 19 | Wandsworth | Greater London | £865,205 | £3,159 |
| 20 | Hitchin | East of England | £510,612 | £1,730 |
What really makes a place happy?
Each year, we invite people to share how they feel about the area they live in. Our 13th annual Happy at Home Index aims to uncover the factors that contribute to happiness in different places, and what truly makes a community feel like home.
The survey measures how residents feel about their local area across 15 key happiness factors. These range from the sense of togetherness within the community and access to green spaces, to the feeling of belonging that a place fosters.
This year, over 35,000 people from towns, cities, and villages across Great Britain shared their thoughts about what matters most to them in their local areas. Using their scores, we’ve compiled a list ranking the happiest places to live.
Our property expert, Tim Bannister, said: “For over a decade we’ve been asking residents what makes them feel happy about where they live, as feeling happy is about more than the home itself. First placed Woodbridge appears to have a lot of the factors that people are looking for from an area, including being close to a river, and a National Landscape. It’s the intangible factors of feeling proud to live in an area, feeling a sense of belonging, and feeling able to be yourself that are the biggest drivers of happiness.”
So, what does it take to make people happy with where they live? According to the survey, it’s a mix of things, like:
- A welcoming community where you can truly be yourself
- Access to nature, such as local countryside, or National Parks
- Practical things, like nearby schools, doctors, and shops
People living in Scotland, Wales, and the South West of England were the happiest overall, while on average, East and West Midlands residents didn’t score their areas as highly. And while the majority of Gen Z (18-24-year-olds) indicated they felt that moving somewhere new might make them happier, people aged 55+ were more likely to love where they are.
Tim adds: “There are some interesting trends revealed by this year’s study, such as how those who live in a rural location are more likely to be happy than urban dwellers, who often live in busy cities. It’s the younger generation who are most likely to say they would be happier living somewhere else, many of whom have to travel to cities for education or to find their first jobs.”
READ MORE: See inside the most-viewed homes of 2024
