HEXHAM has been knocked off its top spot of the happiest place to live in Britain. 

It comes as the market town lost to the popular holiday destination of St Ives in Cornwall, with Hexham taking the fourth spot on the survey by Rightmove.

Hexham ranked the best in 2019 and again in 2021 but has now lost its crown after St Ives scored higher across several factors. 

Previously the town won thanks to its access to nature and green spaces, along with how friendly and polite the people were.

Plus its affordable cost of living also gave it an edge that made people in the area the happiest in Britain. 

It was reported that in 2021 the average asking price for a house in Hexham was £297,088 whilst the average rental price was £842.

Although prices have dropped this year, to £262,265 and £810 the town was not able to keep its crown. 

Hexham named the fourth happiest place to live in Britain

Over 21,000 people took part in the survey conducted by housing site Rightmove's Happy at Home Index.

The survey asks residents how they feel about where they live, with locations later ranked based on results. 

There are a number of factors covered in the survey including whether people feel a sense of belonging, green spaces, nearby amenities and if there is a community spirit. 

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property science, said: “This year’s Happy at Home survey really shows that the things that make people happy to live in their area are not so much the physical aspects of that area but more the personal aspects, such as our sense of belonging, the community and the people.

“The last few months have undoubtedly been difficult for many, and as we learned during another difficult period in 2020, this is often when we look to our local area and community for support and happiness.”

The Happiest Places to Live in Britain revealed

Here are Britain’s happiest places to live in 2022, according to Rightmove, followed by the average asking price for a home and the average asking monthly rental price:

  1. St Ives, South West, £523,731, £1,152
  2. Galashiels, Scotland, £153,546, £530
  3. Woodbridge, East of England, £481,978, £1,196
  4. Hexham, North East, £262,265, £810
  5. Perth, Scotland, £179,410, £812
  6. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £381,124, £1,327
  7. Anglesey, Wales, £324,048, £766
  8. Bury St Edmunds, East of England, £334,160, £1,368
  9. Stirling, Scotland, £197,075, £990
  10. Cirencester, South West, £382,065, £1,331
  11. Richmond-upon-Thames, London, £1,153,347, £3,931
  12. Falmouth, South West, £373,752, £1,289
  13. Monmouth, Wales, £331,844, £1,104
  14. Leamington Spa, West Midlands, £383,553, £1,274
  15. Worcester, West Midlands, £286,250, £1,059
  16. Northwich, North West, £246,995, £942
  17. Altrincham, North West, £615,246, £2,297
  18. Macclesfield, North West, £292,078, £1,146
  19. Newbury, South East, £380,842, £1,364
  20. Llandudno, Wales, £260,245, £760