A market town often described as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales has been crowned the “happiest place” to live in the UK, according to a new survey by property website Rightmove.
Skipton topped the poll after being praised for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of residents, and strong access to essential services such as schools. However, the survey also flagged a key weakness: the town scored less well for access to employment opportunities and desirable jobs — a notable trade-off given its top ranking.
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Skipton finished ahead of Richmond upon Thames, where house prices are a whopping 67% higher than Skipton, and Camden in London, fellow North Yorkshire town Harrogate, and Woodbridge in Suffolk.
Patrick McCutcheon, an estate agent at Yorkshire firm Dacre, Son & Hartley, said the town’s appeal was obvious. “It has it all,” he said, pointing to Skipton’s immediate access to the Yorkshire Dales and its “beautiful setting”.
He added: “Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the M65, with its Manchester links, are all easily accessible for both leisure and business.”
One of the town’s largest employers, Skipton Building Society, has offices close to Skipton 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 added that the town’s friendliness and easy access to green spaces 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.
Often overlooked beyond Yorkshire, Skipton has a long and distinctive history:
- Skipton Castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the north of England
- The town grew wealthy as a historic trading centre for sheep and wool
- The Leeds and Liverpool Canal, built in the 18th century, runs directly through the town
- The Craven Museum houses a rare Shakespeare First Folio from 1623 — one of only four on permanent public display worldwide
- Each year, the town hosts an annual Sheep Day, filling the High Street with sheep displays, racing and heritage events
Local cafe owner Richard Wilson said the ranking reflected everyday life in the town. “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 self-selecting survey, which was sent to people who had consented to receive information from Rightmove.
