Two Shropshire and Powys towns named among Britain’s happiest in Rightmove survey

Two local towns have been named among Britain’s happiest places to live in 2026 - with one making the top 10.

Rightmove has released the results of its 2026 survey, which reveals the happiest towns to live in England, Scotland and Wales.

Unsurprisingly, the list is dominated by pretty market towns, with two in our region being named among the best.

Over the border in Mid Wales, Llandrindod Wells has been named among the happiest places to live in Britain.

Rightmove’s rankings have placed Powys’ Victorian spa town as the 8th happiest place overall and second in Wales.

It’s also the cheapest in the top ten, with an average house price of £234,417 and an average rent of £531 per month.

Shrewsbury has also made the regional list, ranking third happiest in the West Midlands and 34th overall across Britain.

The county town’s inclusion in the list comes just a couple of weeks after it was named among the best places to live or move to in 2027 by Muddy Stilettos.

The Shropshire town was celebrated for its historic charm, independent businesses and enviable access to the countryside.

Here are Britain’s happiest places to live in 2026, according to Rightmove, with the average asking price for a home and the average asking rent per month:

1. Richmond upon Thames, London, £1,021,256, £3,298

2. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £395,776, £1,750

3. Cirencester, South West, £407,368, £1,633

4. Monmouth, Wales, £366,782, £1,395

5. Hove, South East, £476,115, £2,086

6. Chorley, North West, £234,387, £1,011

7. Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £304,033, £1,110

8. Llandrindod Wells, Wales, £234,417, £531

9. Horsham, South East, £470,577, £1,933

10. Hexham, North East, £317,332, £1,329

And here are the happiest places to live within regions or nations, with the regional ranking followed by the ranking overall across Britain:

West Midlands

1. (14) Lichfield

2. (25) Leamington Spa

3. (34) Shrewsbury

4. (36) Tamworth

5. (37) Sutton Coldfield

Wales

1. (4) Monmouth

2. (8) Llandrindod Wells

3. (50) Anglesey

4. (56) New Quay

5. (59) Swansea