District of the Yorkshire Dales named happiest in UK

The people of Craven in the Yorkshire Dales are the happiest in the country, according to official statistics.

Craven, which includes the town of Skipton and the edges of the Forest of Bowland, reported the highest level of happiness, figures from the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) annual study found.

It was also the area with the highest level of life satisfaction and the lowest level of anxiety among residents.

Craven district council chief executive Paul Shevlin told The Guardian: “As you might expect, I’m very happy to hear this. We’re often recognised as one of the best places to live and this is hardly surprising when you look at our beautiful countryside, brilliant schools, amazing communities and our warm and friendly people.”

The study of the nation’s happiness and wellbeing found that residents of Hertsmere, which includes the Hertfordshire commuter-belt towns of Potters Bar, Borehamwood, Bushey and Radlett, were the unhappiest in Britain in the 12 months to the end of March.