THE Mayor of Hexham has said it is still a happy town.

It comes after Hexham was knocked off the top spot of the happiest place to live in Britain.

The town now sits in fourth place in the survey by Rightmove.

READ MORE: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/23162564.happiest-place-live-britain-hexham-named-fourth-best/

Hexham ranked best in 2019 and 2021 but has this year, lost its crown to St Ives in Cornwall.

Hexham previously won for its access to nature and green spaces, its people, and the affordable cost of living.

Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy said “Hexham has performed exceptionally well again in the happiest place to live in the Great Britain index. Fourth place in the land and we are the only place in the North East region to feature in the top 20.

"Hexham is an attractive place to live and has a thriving arts and social scene, great education and sporting facilities and wonderful, rolling countryside. It’s a great place to raise a family.

"We thank all our partners and the people of the town who recognise the important attributes on offer. Hexham is still the happy town.” 

Over 21,000 people took part in the survey conducted by Rightmove's Happy at Home Index which asks residents how they feel about where they live.

Jill Goodfellow, Hexham Community Centre manager, added: “It’s a shame that Hexham has been knocked off the top spot for the happiest place, but there is still so much to celebrate about the town that’s not shown in a survey.

"I have just recently started working at the community centre and have been blown away by the generosity and community spirit here in Hexham.

"The town is full of amazing people who genuinely want to help others and I see that every day in my work, from the amazing staff at Hexham Youthy going out of their way to help young people thrive, to the spirit of all the venues coming together to provide a warm place in the winter through the community lounges scheme, to all the great clubs, groups and events, giving people a place to come together to talk, laugh, sing and dance. 

"The Happy Hexham label felt strange when you see people every day who are struggling – but knowing that there are people working hard to help is worth celebrating."

"We are happy for St Ives to take the top spot as the UK's happiest place to live this year", said Rachel Ladd, the communications and marketing manager of Hexham Community Partnership. "It's only fair to let them have a turn after Hexham has won it twice already." 

Britain's top 10 happiest places to live in 2022 according to Rightmove:

St Ives, South West

Galashiels, Scotland

Woodbridge, East of England

Hexham, North East

Perth, Scotland

Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber

Anglesey, Wales

Bury St Edmunds, East of England

Stirling, Scotland

Cirencester, South West