Skipton named UK's 'happiest place' to live

A market town known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales has been named as the "happiest place" to live in the UK, according to a survey.

Skipton was praised for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of residents and access to essential services, such as schools.

Property website Rightmove, which conducted the survey, said the town scored less well regarding access to employment opportunities and desirable jobs.

Skipton topped the poll ahead of Richmond upon Thames and Camden in London, fellow North Yorkshire town Harrogate and Woodbridge in Suffolk.

Estate agent Patrick McCutcheon, for Yorkshire firm Dacre, Son & Hartley, said the town "has it all" with immediate access to the Yorkshire Dales and a "beautiful setting".

"Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the M65, with its Manchester links, are all easily accessible for both leisure and business," he said.

Skipton Building Society is a major employer in the area and its offices are located near the town's castle.

Ian Rigarlsford, from the firm, said: "Skipton is a place where community genuinely means something, and that's what makes living and working here so special."

He said the friendliness and accessibility of green spaces all contributed to a quality of life that was "hard to match".

"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," he said.

• Skipton Castle is regarded as one of the best preserved medieval castles in the north of England
• The town's wealth initially came from its role as a trading centre for sheep and wool
• The Leeds Liverpool Canal, constructed in the 18th Century, was built through the town
• The Craven Museum at the town hall houses a rare Shakespeare First Folio, dating from 1623 - one of only four First Folios on permanent display in the world
• With a nod to its heritage, the town hosts an annual Sheep Day with sheep displays and racing and many other sheep related activities which fill the High Street.

Sources: Welcome to Skipton

Cafe owner Richard Wilson said he agreed Skipton was "the happiest place".

"Everybody in Skipton is welcoming to everyone who comes from around the country to visit," he said.

"We've got lovely cafes, lovely independent shops, and it's a town full of independent people working and smiling every day to welcome the tourists and the locals who treasure Skipton."

More than 19,500 people took part in the survey, which was self-selecting.

It was sent to people who had consented to receive information from Rightmove.

Additional reporting by PA Media

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