Skipton is the happiest place to live in not just Yorkshire but the whole of Britain, according to Rightmove’s 2025 Happy at Home Index.
Harrogate also makes the national top 10, and eight spots around Yorkshire feature in the top 100 in the latest edition of the annual rankings.
Skipton, which is steeped in history but also brimming with modern creativity, has previously been named the best place to live in the UK.
Its medieval castle, historic market and ancient woodlands with tumbling waterfalls make it one of the UK’s most picturesque towns.
It is also home to a great selection of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and is just half an hour from Leeds by train.
One person called Skipton an ‘utterly gorgeous little town’, another said it was a ‘brilliant place to live’, and a third described it as ‘really lovely’.
While the likes of Skipton and Harrogate regularly rank highly on lists of Britain’s best places to live, Huddersfield, which is also among Yorkshire’s happiest spots, tends to fly under the radar.
It has been hailed by ADM Residential as a ‘hidden gem’, combining historic charm with modern conveniences and a strong community feel, plus more affordable house prices.
Describing why they enjoy living there, one local who moved from Manchester said: “I love being such a short drive from major towns and cities while only ever being 10 minutes from the countryside.
“It’s a great place to bring kids up, there’s loads to do and reasonably priced housing means we can afford a much nicer house than if we’d stayed in Manchester.”
Another happy Huddersfield resident said: “We're a 15-minute walk from town, but we're surrounded by woodlands.
“In addition to the parks, we're a short drive away form Holm Moss, Marsden Moors, Folly Dolly Falls and other great spots. There's a load of good places to eat nearby (Oshana, Ahadu, Veppura and plenty more).”
Others praised the great pubs, the friendly people, the lovely walks on your doorstep, and the variety of family activities within easy access.
Thousands of people took part in Rightmove’s latest Happy at Home survey, describing what they love and don’t love about their community, from how friendly the neighbours are to job opportunities and access to green spaces.
Below are the 9 happiest places to live in Yorkshire, according to the results.
If you’re interested in more Yorkshire property news, you might like our recent articles looking at the county’s cheapest and most expensive neighbourhoods in which to buy a house.
9. Skipton
Skipton is the happiest place to live in Yorkshire, and the happiest in the whole of Britain, according to Rightmove's 2025 Happy at Home Index | YPN Photo: Tony Johnson