The Yorkshire town has been crowned the UK’s happiest place by Rightmove
Skipton has been crowned the happiest town in the UK, and having frequented this charming spot on multiple occasions, it’s not hard to see why.
Located in North Yorkshire, its unique shops, historical architecture, and breathtaking surroundings make it an irresistible draw. As Yorkshire residents, Skipton, a picturesque village town, has become one of our favourite weekend destinations.
So, when I discovered that Skipton has now been declared the happiest place to live in the UK by property website Rightmove, I was far from surprised. Skipton outshone posh locales like Richmond upon Thames and Camden in London, even surpassing its affluent North Yorkshire neighbour, Harrogate, reports the Express.
Perched on the brink of the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton is conveniently close to Leeds, Bradford, and Harrogate. Importantly, it exudes a warm, cosy village atmosphere that feels worlds away from bustling cities like Leeds, while retaining a grounded charm that Harrogate seems to lack.
Think more along the lines of ice cream parlours rather than health food shops.
Skipton boasts canals adorned with canal boats, offering tourists scenic routes around the village. It’s also home to Skipton Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in northern England.
However, during our visits, all these attractions are overshadowed by what I believe is Skipton’s ultimate hidden treasure: its waterfalls and woodland walks.
Just a brief stroll from the stone facades, cobbled lanes and canals, you’ll find Skipton Castle Woods. From the castle and canals, visitors can enjoy a short walk along a pathway featuring cascading waterfalls and a trail leading into stunning woodland.
It’s hard to fathom that these expansive green woods are mere yards away from the bustling streets, cafes and car parks, but they offer a beautiful and extensive network of nature trails that feel completely secluded from the rest of the world.
My only gripe with Skipton is one that’s all too familiar for motorists: parking.
When we visited without children, it was easy to park the car on a side street and walk about a mile into town. However, once we had a baby in tow, we didn’t fancy pushing a pram for a mile and so opted to park closer to the shops.
Regrettably, for some inexplicable reason, there’s a four-hour maximum stay in the central car parks (some even limit you to two hours), which meant we had to rush around the shops and sights with one eye on the clock, hurrying back to the car before our time ran out.
Despite this, it’s a place I look forward to revisiting time and again.