Richmond upon Thames in south-west London has been named the happiest place to live in the UK for a second time, according to Rightmove's annual Happy at Home Index.
The survey polled more than 24,000 people on 13 'happiness factors' about their area. Richmond, which includes locations like Twickenham, Hampton and Barnes, first became the index's inaugural London winner in 2023.
What makes Richmond the happiest?
The borough scored highly for a sense of pride, essential local services, access to shops and restaurants, and access to green space. Roughly half of Richmond upon Thames is parkland, home to Bushy and Richmond Royal Parks, as well as Kew Gardens and the WWT London Wetlands Centre.
The research found that proximity to nature was one of the biggest indicators of happiness, with those in rural areas or near Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty proving more satisfied than those in urban locales. This, alongside a sense of belonging and community, was judged as more important than access to things like public transport, shops, restaurants, schools and job opportunities.
High prices and other winners
Living in Richmond comes at a price, with the average home selling for £885,542 over the past 12 months, according to Rightmove. Second place on the property site's 15th annual ranking was taken by Harrogate in North Yorkshire, followed by Cirencester in Gloucestershire, where the average respective sale prices of £386,970 and £414,768 are more realistic for the average buyer.
Buying in the Welsh winner, Monmouth, works out even more budget-friendly at £349,054, while in Kirkcaldy, ranked the happiest place in Scotland, the figure sits at £172,045.
Local and expert reactions
Mayor of Richmond upon Thames councillor Nancy Baldwin commented: 'This recognition is especially meaningful because residents highlighted their pride in the local area, our beautiful parks and green spaces, and the local services they rely on every day. Above all, it is our people and communities that make Richmond special.'
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: '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. That balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important. This year's results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren't simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.'
