World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Richmond upon Thames tops Britain’s happiest places to live
Richmond upon Thames was named Britain’s happiest place to live in Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home Index.
The London borough returned to the top spot after winning in 2023 and ranking second last year.
More than 24,000 people took part in the survey, which asked residents how they feel about where they live.
Richmond scored well for green spaces, local services, shops, restaurants and job opportunities.
The average asking price for a home there is over £1 million, putting its high quality of life alongside a steep housing cost.
Harrogate in North Yorkshire ranked second, and Cirencester in Gloucestershire came third; last year’s winner, Skipton, placed seventh.
Four in five respondents said they were happy where they live, although people chose to take part after being emailed, so the survey was self-selecting.
Richmond upon Thames has topped Rightmove’s 2026 Happy at Home Index, returning to number one after winning in 2023.
Harrogate in North Yorkshire ranked second and Cirencester in Gloucestershire third.
The study collected responses from more than 24,000 people, and 81% said they were happy with where they live.
Rightmove said Richmond ranked highly for access to nature, local services, shops and restaurants, employment opportunities and residents’ pride in their area.
The average asking price for a home in Richmond is more than £1 million, according to the Evening Standard.
- Who
- Richmond upon Thames was named the happiest place to live in Britain by Rightmove’s index.
- What
- It returned to the top of the Happy at Home Index.
- When
- The results were reported on November 11, 2026.
- Where
- Richmond upon Thames, a London borough.
- Why
- Rightmove said it ranked highly for factors including access to nature, local services, shops, restaurants, employment opportunities and residents’ pride in their area.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Richmond upon Thames previously won the Happy at Home Index.
Skipton in North Yorkshire was the winner, while Richmond upon Thames finished second.
Rightmove’s index ranked Richmond upon Thames first, Harrogate second and Cirencester third.
- Richmond upon Thames
- Ranked first in Britain
- Harrogate
- Ranked second
- Cirencester
- Ranked third
- Survey responses
- More than 24,000 people
- Happy with where they live
- 81% of survey participants
- Average asking price in Richmond
- More than £1 million
2 sources
What people are saying
Richmond stands out for offering a combination many people value: easy access to nature and green spaces, without having to give up local services, places to eat and shop, or employment opportunities.
Above all, it is our people and communities that make Richmond special.
We may have handed over the top spot this year, but the things that make Skipton special haven’t changed: a brilliant community, beautiful countryside on the doorstep and a town centre with a real sense of life and character.
Families are drawn to Richmond for its excellent schools and green spaces, and they stay for the strong sense of community.