It’s easy to be biased about the city, town or village we call home, but for some, they can officially say they live in ‘one of the happiest places’ in Great Britain.

The beautiful market town of Skipton is nestled among the diverse landscapes of North Yorkshire and just an hour’s drive from Leeds or a little further from York. It’s often been known as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’, due to its location serving as the southern entrance to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with its green valleys and heather moorlands that span more than 2,100 square kilometres.

Skipton is steeped in history, with its preserved 900-year-old medieval castle and its award-winning market, which is said to be one of the oldest in the country. The high street is brimming with independent shops and charming cafés, with the town’s position along the canal offering scenic walks and an idyllic day out.

But it’s those who live in the town that really reap the benefits of the picturesque town, as Skipton was crowned the ‘happiest place to live in Great Britain’ by Rightmove in their annual Happy at Home Index at the end of last year. The real estate company evaluated various factors across more than 200 locations, including community, safety, access to essential services, green spaces and high streets, to reveal Skipton’s first-place position.

Its easy access to nature and green spaces was a factor ranked highest by Skipton residents, and there’s an abundance of landscapes to enjoy. Aside from the nearby Yorkshire Dales National Park, there’s Aireville Park, a nature reserve, Castle Woods, and stunning Skipton Moor.

Its community feel was another major draw with Skipton Market – which has been operating since medieval times – playing a key role in bringing residents together. It’s even garnered high recognition, having previously been named the ‘best small outdoor market’ in the national Great British Market Awards.

The outdoor market on the High Street is held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, offering everything from food produce, fashion, to arts and crafts from local traders. One visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Gorgeous market with loads of parking nearby and a really traditional feel. The market is surrounded by shops with lots of independents. Well-priced products.”

The cobbled high street leads up to the legendary Skipton Castle and is lined with independent boutiques and retailers, as well as popular chain stores. There are also plenty of eateries in the town, with Phoebe’s restaurant, The Cock & Bottle pub, and The Clubhouse café to name a few.

Adding to the town’s allure, Rightmove also found that the average asking price for a house in Skipton was £326,093, lower than the national average of £364,833 at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, the average asking rent was £1,038 per month – a stark contrast to Richmond upon Thames, which ranked second on the Happy at Home Index, but with an average rent of £3,189.

“Combining community, countryside and communication – Skipton has it all”, Patrick McCutcheon, Head of Residential at Dacre Son & Hartley in Yorkshire, said. “A highly desirable living environment with immediate access to The Dales and a beautiful setting amidst some of the region’s finest countryside, and only a little more than an hour from The Lake District.

“Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the M65, with its Manchester links, are all easily accessible for both leisure and business. From the town’s station, there are now also regular services to London King’s Cross. The historic castle lights up the colourful High Street market whilst the Leeds / Liverpool canal, Pennine Way and surrounding moors offer endless opportunities for challenging walks, road and mountain biking and enhance the appeal of this living environment.”

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