![\"Narrow](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_276875165-3ac1.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe happiest place to live in Great Britain has been named (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThe happiest place to live in Great Britain has been named (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Skipton has a great many things: a sprawling network of canals, hearty local pubs, and, of course, the Yorkshire Dales<\/a> right on the doorstep.<\/p>\n It\u2019s little wonder that it\u2019s been named the happiest place to live in Britain, based on data that analysed more than 200 locations.<\/p>\n Rightmove\u2019s <\/a>Happy at Home study asked locals what they love (and equally, don\u2019t love) about their community, and that includes factors like how friendly their neighbours are, what the job opportunities are like, and the access they have to green spaces.<\/p>\n Based right in the depths of Yorkshire and the Humber, the data finds that, in Skipton\u2019s case, the locals here have a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing, and, importantly, that access to green spaces can equally shape our happiness levels. <\/p>\n On average, the data found that those who live closer to a national park or an Area of Outstanding Beauty are happier than those who live in a concrete jungle \u2013 and Skipton locals are lucky enough to have both: the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale National Landscape.<\/p>\n More broadly, the research finds that happiness with an area grows with age. Those aged between 18 and 24 were the least likely of any age group to feel happy in their surroundings, while residents aged 65 and over were the most likely to be completely content with their digs.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tReady to start your homebuying journey?\t\t\t<\/p>\n You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from:<\/p>\n \u2013 Award winning service from the UK\u2019s leading mortgage broker<\/p>\n \u2013 Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week<\/p>\n \u2013 Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market<\/p>\n Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won\u2019t charge you a fee for their advice.<\/p>\n Find out how much you could borrow online<\/a><\/p>\n Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.<\/p>\n So, why are Skiptonians so happy? And how can we get a slice of that magic for ourselves?<\/p>\n \u2018Combining community, countryside and communication \u2013 Skipton has it all,\u2019 says Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre Son & Hartley in Yorkshire.<\/p>\n \u2018A highly desirable\u202fliving environment\u202fwith immediate access to The Dales and a beautiful setting amidst some of the region\u2019s finest countryside, and only a little more than an hour from the Lake District<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n Things to do in Skipton<\/p>\n Skipton <\/a>is known as the \u2018Gateway to the Dales,\u2019 as it\u2019s located just south of the National Park, and is the closest and largest market town to most of the Yorkshire Dales.<\/p>\n Back in 2008, Skipton was named the best high street<\/a> in Britain by the Academy of Urbanism. Thanks to its community spirit, quiet charm, independent retailers and lack of modern development, its cobbled high street scored higher than\u00a0London<\/a>\u2019s Portobello Road.<\/p>\n Perhaps Skipton\u2019s biggest attraction is its castle, which sits at the top of the high street. It\u2019s one of the best-preserved medieval castles in England, built in 1090. During the Civil War, it even withstood a three-year siege.<\/p>\n \t\t For \u00a312.40 (or cheaper if you book online), step back in time and explore almost every inch of the estate. <\/p>\n From the banqueting hall, kitchen, bedchamber and privy, you can also climb from the depths of the dungeon to the watch tower.<\/p>\n Finally, before heading deeper into the Yorkshire Dales, grab a bite to eat at the Cock & Bottle, a traditional pub with a stone fireplace and wood-beamed ceiling. Everything on their menu is made in-house from locally sourced suppliers. Seriously, even the crisps are made in Yorkshire.<\/p>\n How to get to Skipton<\/p>\n If you\u2019re driving from London, the journey to Skipton takes just under five hours. For those taking the train, the journey time is a little less, averaging between 3 hours and 3 hours and 45 minutes. <\/p>\n Prices also vary depending on how far in advance you book. But roughly, for a one-way ticket with a change at Leeds<\/a>, expect to pay between \u00a336 and \u00a355.<\/p>\n \t\t According to Rightmove\u2019s figures, the average house in Skipton will set you back \u00a3326,093 \u2013 which is considerably over the national average (Zoopla <\/a>currently places this at \u00a3270,000).<\/p>\n When it comes to renting, the going rate is currently \u00a31,038, which is still, arguably, a pretty penny.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tThe happiest places to live in Great Britain, according to Rightmove\t\t\t<\/p>\n What locals are saying about Skipton<\/p>\n Posting over on the r\/Yorkshire Subreddit<\/a>, @Upbeat-Excitement-46 described Skipton as \u2018lively,\u2019 with \u2018lots of bars and pubs, as well as independent businesses in the Craven Court shopping centre.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Utterly gorgeous little town, one of my favourite parts of the country,\u2019 @ibnQoheleth added, noting that there\u2019s \u2018plenty to do in terms of walking, too \u2014 Bolton Abbey is nearby and the walk through Strid Woods is lovely.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t @Choice-Demand-3884 <\/a>says it\u2019s a \u2018lovely little town in a perfect location; Dales one way, cities the other.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Back in the 80s, it had a rep for being a bit rough for a night out, which seems incredible now,\u2019 they added, while @No_Summer_1838<\/a> said: \u2018The thing with\u00a0Skipton\u00a0is you don\u2019t actually need to travel to get outside. Along the canal, the woods, and the moors are all on your doorstep.\u2019<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Canal](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_276875164-bb12.jpg\")
\n\t\tSkipton combines \u2018community, countryside and communication\u2019 (Picture: Shutterstock \/ Pete Stuart)<\/p>\n![\"Houses](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_276875447-4d80.jpg\")
\n\t\tSkipton previously was named as having the best high street in Britain (Picture: Shutterstock \/ Peter is Shaw 199)<\/p>\n![\"Green](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_276875161-dfcc.jpg\")
\n\t\tSkipton is steeped in natural beauty (Picture: Getty Images\/500px)
\nHousing in Skipton<\/p>\n\n
![\"Skipton](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_276875160-8a13.jpg\")
\n\t\tSkipton has been described as a \u2018lovely little town\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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