Life at UK's 'happiest place to live' - tourists, tranquillity, Ted Lasso effect

06 December 2023 , 18:00

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Resident Jacqui Lofthouse couldn't imagine living anywhere else

It may be just 40 minutes on the tube from the city but the London Borough of Richmond feels like an entirely different world.

This leafy London suburb allows you to swap the hustle and bustle of the capital for tranquil riverside walks. Take a stroll through Bushy and Richmond Royal Parks where you’re likely to spot red deer and kingfishers and enjoy a well-earned pitstop at one of the riverside pubs. While Richmond residents know how lucky they are to live here, It’s the first time a London borough has been named the happiest place to live in the UK.

Richmond Upon Thames ranked highly because of its 'access to green spaces and sense of belonging,' according to Rightmove’s Happy at Home Index. The study found that feeling a sense of pride, belonging, and community is most likely to contribute to feeling happy to live in an area, more so than having access to things like public transport, schools and job opportunities. But residents of Richmond seem to have it all.

Richmond upon Thames on the River thames in south west London has been named the happiest place to live in the UK (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dawn Platt, Associate Director of Chestertons’ Richmond branch, says: “Richmond really has got it all. Access to nature, schools, entertainment, good eateries, bars and shops. On top of this, the borough benefits from a riverside location and great transport links. Thanks to its lifestyle offerings, it’s not difficult to see why Richmond has established itself as one of London’s most sought-after locations nor why residents are happy living here.

“We encounter a lot of house hunters who have always had the goal of living in Richmond one day and once they have moved here, couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Due to its community feel, many see Richmond as an area to settle down long-term."

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Jacqui Lofthouse, Founder of The Writing Coach, told the Mirror she's lived in Hampton Hill for 24 years and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. "I love it so much that when we moved house, we just moved to the other side of the street," she laughed. "We spend a lot of time in Richmond-upon-Thames at weekends and evenings.

You can spot deer at Richmond Park (Alison Jenkins/Solent News)

"During lockdown, once we were allowed outside again, walking up Richmond Hill, buying pizza on the way - that beautiful view kept us sane. As a writer, I used to host a writing group at The White Cross pub on Richmond riverside for several years and we celebrated one of my client's book launches recently at the White Swan pub too. I love living near the deer park and having the opportunity to walk there each day."

Richmond Upon Thames also has many famous residents but did you know heartthrob Tom Hardy went to Richmond Drama School and grew up in the area? The Mad Max and Peaky Blinders actor grew up in East Sheen, which is part of the Richmond Upon Thames suburb, while it is also home to Amanda Holden.

The Ted Lasso effect

And it's not just Richmond residents who love the area - it’s also become a bit of a tourist hotspot. The village feel and beautiful waterside setting makes Richmond Upon Thames a great place for filming and it was recently chosen as the location for Apple TV's Ted Lasso. Fans of the show may recognise Richmond Park and Ted's Street - Paved Court. The narrow street is dotted with cafes and shops that have embraced the Ted Lasso movement by selling Richmond shirts, hats, scarves and teddy bears.

House prices in Richmond Upon Thames

Richmond riverside is popular in the summer (MyLondon - Grahame Larter)

Living in such a desirable location does come at a price. Properties in Richmond Upon Thames had an overall average price of £850,971 in 2022. Terraced properties sold for an average of £853,845, with semi-detached properties fetching £1,053,173. Overall, sold prices in Richmond Upon Thames over the last year were similar to the previous year and 8% up on the 2020 peak of £785,415. It means that many people are priced out of the area - the average cost of a home in Richmond Upon Thames is approximately 20.7 times the annual salary earned by the borough's workers.

Mary Spiteri, who runs Titfertat Hats on Paved Court, told the Mirror she loves coming to Richmond every day to open her shop but sadly can't afford to live here. "I'm a milliner and have had my store here for 26 years - it's a very friendly place, safe and calm.

"Lately, there have been a lot of American tourists because of Ted Lasso - my shop has been featured in every episode. What I love about having a business here is that if you pop to Waitrose you know everybody - it has a lovely community spirit and an almost village-like feel. I just wish I could afford to live here. "

The news has been welcomed by Be Richmond, the town’s Business Improvement District (BID): “We are incredibly proud to see this wonderful place presented with the accolade it deserves,” said Lou Abbotts, Be Richmond’s Chief Operating Officer. “Aside from the beautiful natural assets of parkland and the river Thames with far reaching views into the city, it is a bustling town centre full of a mix of boutiques and big-name stores to be discovered in the lanes and on the High Street.

“With Scotts, the Ivy, Megan's and Gails it has all the Chelsea eateries with the feel of Surrey. Family and community events and activities like the free Christmas pop ups, wellbeing walks and the annual mass paddle boarding litter pick all add to Richmond’s strong sense of community. It’s easy to see how it really is one of the happiest places to live, work and explore,”

Jackie Annett