NORTHWICH has been named one of the happiest towns to live in Great Britain as part of a new Rightmove study.

The property website published its annual Happy at Home Index this week, which asks residents how they feel about where they live based on 10 happiness factors.

Northwich sits in 18th place in this year's top 20 – the only place in Cheshire to feature in the list, and only second to sixth-place Kendal in the north west.

Tim Bannister, director of property data at Rightmove, said: "Our latest research shows that despite all the challenges that this year has brought, many people have been able to reconnect with their local area and community which has had a positive effect on how they feel about where they live.

"Overall, I think lockdown has enabled people to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, and spending more time in their local areas has made people value their surroundings and communities so much more.

Northwich Guardian:

The town's stunning parks are one of the reasons why Northwich performs well in the list. Image: Ann Webster of the Guardian Camera Club

"This year’s study shows a greater appreciation for green spaces and nature, and a strong correlation between people living in coastal and rural areas and how happy people are where they live."

The 10 factors range from how friendly the neighbours are and how good the local services are, to the sense of belonging and the quality of nature and green spaces in the area.

The 2020 study, with more than 21,000 respondents, favoured more rural or coastal areas than urban areas – which reflects a nationwide trend of people desiring better access to outdoor spaces, according to Rightmove.

Cllr Sam Naylor has lived in Northwich for all his life, and insists he would not want to live anywhere else.

He told the Guardian: "Northwich has always been a fantastic place to live with so much beauty on your doorstep, from the Dane Valley to Vickersway Park, there is nowhere else like it.

"We've got major roads like the M6 nearby and two railway lines, ICI is virtually gone now with all that polluting industry, we've got top education facilities like Sir John Deane's and The Grange – why wouldn't people want to live in Northwich?

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"It has always been one of the safest places to live, with one of the lowest crime rates in the country, and we have the unique rivalries with our rugby and football clubs.

"I'm not surprised Northwich is on the list at all."

St Ives, in Cornwall, was named as the happiest place to live in Great Britain in the top 20 list.