The gateway to the Yorkshire Dales is known for its beautiful landscapes, historic castle and cobbled streets – but it’s also one of the happiest places to live in the country
Skipton, referred to as the ‘gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’, is easily one of the chirpiest spots in the UK to set up home.
The North Yorkshire town is positively bursting with joy, having been a regular on “happiest” and “best of” lists over the years, even snagging a top spot in The Sunday Times’s coveted best places to live rankings back in 2014.
A highlight from 2017 pointed out by the Office for National Statistics underlined just how merry the area is – Craven, encompassing Skipton, reported sky-high levels of happiness and life satisfaction with barely a hint of anxiety among its locals.
There are little wonders why Skipton’s roughly 14,000 residents are beaming when you take a gander at their home. Nestled snugly on the verge of the Yorkshire Dales, the town is an ideal launchpad for explorations into the breathtaking scenery beyond.
Talk about history – the town boasts a Medieval castle dating back to 1090, which stood as a bastion of royalist resolve during the English Civil War under Sir John Mallory, surrendering only after a gruelling three-year siege.
Skipton’s heritage shines with one of North Yorkshire’s most ancient mills and its role as host for POW camps in the World Wars, while nearby Bolton Abbey offers storybook charm with its 12th-century priory ruins amidst perfect paddling spots.
“Welcome to Skipton” beams: “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.”
Meanwhile, “Welcome to Yorkshire” chimes in with praise for the market town: “As the gateway to the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, people travel the length and breadth of the country to visit this charming market town.”
For those looking to grab a scrumptious bite, the historic cobbled High Street is where you’ll want to be. Alexander’s Grand Café, Bar and Terrace and Le Caveau Restaurant come highly recommended as top-notch dining spots.
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
- Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
- Winchester, South East
- Monmouth, Wales
- Wokingham, South East
- Cirencester, South West
- Skipton, Yorkshire and The Humber
- Hemel Hempstead, East of England
- Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London
- St Ives, South West
- 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.”
