It turns out that for some lucky Londoners, the season to be jolly is a year-round event. Because the happiness hunters over at Rightmove have, once again, scoured the length and breadth of Britain in search of the most joy-inducing places to live. And a lush-and-leafy London borough has managed to top the cheerful charts.
Rightmove’s survey saw 24,000 people across 221 locations put their two cents in on what they love about where they live. Based on a variety of factors including access to nature, local amenities, and employment opportunities (just to name a few), they were able to identify some of the magic ingredients that create a delicious recipe for happiness at home. And once all the research was gathered, they collated it into the 15th edition of their ‘Happy at Home Index’.
Landing itself at the very top of the list was Richmond upon Thames. No stranger to this particular accolade, the smile-inducing south west suburb also took home the title back in 2023, but having been a runner-up in the past few iterations of the index, Richmond has finally managed to reclaim the crown.
Home to a rich history, ravishing riverside views, the largest park in London, and some outrageously gorgeous houses, it certainly doesn’t take a rocket-scientist to work out why you’d be feeling pretty darn pleased with yourself if you’d managed to snap up a gaff in Richmond. The only London locale to earn itself a place on the list this year, Richmond was rated particularly highly when it came to nature and green space, local services, shops and restaurants, and employment opportunities. It was also the spot that saw the highest number of residents express pride in where they lived.
Now, we all know that money can’t buy you happiness. What money can do, however, is buy you a house in Richmond. And it will likely come as no surprise to you that residing in the happiest place in Britain comes with a fairly hefty price-tag. The average property in Richmond will set you back a rather eye-watering £1,021,256 – a whopping 175% more than the average property in Great Britain.
The happiest places to live in Britain in 2026:
- Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
- Harrogate, Yorkshire and The Humber
- Cirencester, South West
- Monmouth, Wales
- Hove, South East
- Chorley, North West
- Skipton, Yorkshire and The Humber
- Llandrindod Wells, Wales
- Horsham, South East
- Hexham, North East
Councillor Nancy Baldwin, the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, said: “It is wonderful to see Richmond upon Thames recognised as the happiest place to live in Great Britain. 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 out people and communities that make Richmond special. I am proud to serve as Mayor and to celebrate everything that makes our borough such a happy place to call home.”
