Beautiful town next to spectacular national park is one of UK's happiest places

06 February 2024 , 11:14

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Bolton Abbey sits just outside the town (Image: PA)

A town known as the 'gateway to the Yorkshire Dales' is one of the cheeriest places to live in the country.

Skipton in North Yorkshire is a happiness hub according to a recent survey, having regularly found itself named on multiple "happiest" and "best of" lists over the years - including a top spot in the The Sunday Times best places to live rankings of 2014.

In 2017, a study of the nation's happiness and wellbeing by the Office for National Statistics found Craven - which includes the town of Skipton - had the highest levels of happiness and life satisfaction and the lowest levels of anxiety among residents.

If you visit the town it is easy to see why. The settlement of 14,000 sits right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, making it the perfect starting point for a hike across the striking natural landscape.

It is home to a Medieval castle built in 1090. During the English Civil War, a royalist garrison was situated at Skipton Castle under the command of Sir John Mallory. It was the last remaining royalist stronghold in Northern England, only admitting defeat after a three-year-long siege.

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The oldest stretch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal runs through Skipton (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Skipton is also notable as having one of the oldest mills in North Yorkshire, and being the site of prisoner of war camps during the First and Second World Wars. Just the town is Bolton Abbey, a picturesque village with the remains of 12^th century priory that provides an excellent backdrop as you paddle in the stream below.

Welcome to Skipton says: "What’s not to love about Skipton? Immense history, a rich culture, independent shops, food and drink places galore, a famous market, an iconic castle, stunning countryside and, perhaps most of all, friendly, fiercely proud and passionate Yorkshire people."

Welcome to Yorkshire adds: "As the gateway to the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, people travel the length and breadth of the country to visit this charming market town." The historic cobbled High Street in the middle of town is the place to go for a bite to eat, with Alexander's Grand Café, Bar and Terrace and Le Caveau Restaurant both good bets.

Skipton residents tend to be happier than the average Brit (Getty Images)

When deciding which UK places are the happiest, online real estate company Rightmove looked at a number of factors including health, jobs and social lives. Published in December 2023, the firm's 12th annual Happy at Home Index sought answers from 26,000 people on 13 different happiness factors.

These included things like the club-together community spirit of a local area, having green space on the doorstep, or the sense of belonging in a local community.

UK's 10 happiest places

1. Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
2. Winchester, South East
3. Monmouth, Wales
4. Wokingham, South East
5. Cirencester, South West
6. Skipton, Yorkshire and The Humber
7. Hemel Hempstead, East of England
8. Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London
9. St Ives, South West
10. Hexham, North East

A spokesperson for Rightmove explained: "Each year, we ask people to tell us what makes them happy about where they live, and what makes it special. Our annual Happy at Home Index, now in its 12th year, helps us understand what really makes the residents of some areas happier than others, as well as the things that make a place feel like home."

Milo Boyd