Pretty corner of Britain named among happiest and healthiest places to live

Choosing where to call home is no easy task. From affordability to schools, crime rates and things to do, there’s a lot that can weigh in on the decision.

But if you’re looking to live in the south of England, this pretty county might be the perfect place to home your search.

According to the annual Halifax Quality of Life Survey, the district of Hart, in Hampshire, came out on top again as the best place to live.

Holding the title between 2011 to 2013, the personal wellness survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) skyrocketed Hart back to its number one spot.

Best things to do in Hampshire

For historian buffs, a free visit to the 13th-century ruin, King John’s Castle, is a must-see in Odiham.

Then there’s Mattingley Church, a Grade I listed building in Hook, Hampshire.

And for those who want to be surrounded by a bit of buzz are best of visiting Winchester.

How did Hart, Hampshire get voted into the top spot?

The Halifax quality of life study is based on several factors, such as:

Women in Hart have the longest life expectancy across the UK, living (on average) to nearly 87 years old.

The men, meanwhile, averaged an age of around 82 years of age, which is in the top three of longest average life expectancies for men.

People in Hart enjoyed, on average, around 32 hours of sunshine per week, which is a lot more than the national average of only 29.

There is a price to pay, though, when it comes to living in Hart, as the average house price is £419,231.

Top 10 best places to live, based on the Halifax Quality of Life Survey 2023:

1. Hart, Hampshire
2. Orkney Islands
3. Rutland, East Midlands
4. Wychavon, Worcestershire
5. Winchester, Hampshire
6. Wokingham, Berkshire
7. Waverley, Surrey
8. Craven, North Yorkshire
9. Richmondshire, North Yorkshire
10. Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.

Note that Hampshire is a recurring county that keeps popping up in the best places to live across the whole of the UK.

Last year, the top scorers in the Halifax survey also included Winchester in Hampshire.

Best things to do in Winchester

• The Winchester Ghost Walk
• Winchester Cathedral
• The Royal Green Jackets Military Museum
• The Gurkha Museum
• Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

As for the healthiest places to live in the UK, the ONS annual Health Index Study calculated scores based on:

• Physical health
• Mental health
• Fitness.

Top 10 Healthiest Places in England:

1. Harrogate – 124.9
2. Rutland – 124.6
3. Elmbridge – 124.1
4. Waverley – 123.1
5. Hart – 122.9
6. Uttlesford – 122.4
7. Surrey Heath – 122.3
8. Rochford – 122
9. Ribble Valley – 121.9
10. Horsham – 121.9

The national average score for the nation is 100; also take note that Hart, in Hampshire, also features in the top 10 of the healthiest places to live.

Where is Hart?

Hart, Hampshire, is located in the South East of England, bordering Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, and Wiltshire to the north-west.

Do you currently live in Britain’s happiest or healthiest places? And would you consider moving there?

While you might not be looking to move any time soon, there are certain areas that have been unfavourably listed as the unhealthiest places to live in the UK.

Top 10 unhealthiest places in England:

1. Blackpool – 76.5
2. Kingston upon Hull – 77.5
3. Liverpool – 79.9
4. Middlesbrough – 80.2
5. Manchester – 81.8
6. Nottingham – 82
7. Knowsley – 82.8
8. Salford – 83.5
9. Leicester – 83.6
10. Portsmouth – 83.8