According to a recent survey by online store Furniturebox, Stratford-upon-Avon has officially been crowned the happiest place to live in the UK, topping a list of 70 towns and cities.
The medieval town - birthplace of William Shakespeare and where the famously short-tempered chef Gordon Ramsay grew up - topped a list of the 70 happiest places by online store Furniturebox.
Locations were ranked according to the beauty of the surroundings and green spaces, provision of good state schools and affordable housing, as well as access to quality pubs, restaurants, independent shops and cultural attractions.
And if you’ve ever wrangled three kids through a riverside market while somehow still managing to enjoy yourself? You already knew.
This place is basically a parenting hack in disguise — fun for kids, soul-soothing for adults, and surprisingly practical to live in.
Start with the riverside Sunday market. It’s not just a few stalls and sad-looking pies — it’s a proper vibe. Local produce, street food, handmade gifts, and live music. There’s something about wandering past the Avon with a coffee in hand, a sausage roll in the other, and three kids happily clutching fudge samples that just hits different.
Then there’s summer, when the ferris wheel makes its annual appearance. You pile into a pod, rise slowly above the town, and boom — panoramic views of Shakespeare’s turf, the winding river, and half-timbered houses straight out of a storybook.
It’s a big family win, no planning required.
Boat rides are a must — whether you're rowing (chaotic but hilarious) or steering a tiny motorboat (way easier than it looks). Glide past swans, spot picnickers, and pretend for a minute you’re in a Jane Austen novel with snack wrappers.
Let’s not forget the charm: crooked medieval buildings that look like they’re held together with hope and nostalgia, and cute little lanes dotted with independent shops and cafés. No soulless high street here — it’s all artisan bakes, creative boutiques, and cafés where you can actually breathe with a buggy in tow.
And yes — Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage are both here, both worth it, and surprisingly engaging for kids (especially when there’s a costumed actor involved).
Top it off with the fact that Stratford is commutable. Birmingham’s not far, and you can reach London without needing a full survival kit. So it’s not just pretty — it works.
Bottom line? That Furniturebox survey nailed it. Stratford-upon-Avon isn’t just happy — it’s the kind of place where family life thrives.
5. Stratford-Upon-Avon
The medieval town - birthplace of William Shakespeare and where the famously short-tempered chef Gordon Ramsay grew up - topped a list of the 70 happiest places by online store Furniturebox. | Emma Walker