Rightmove has released its annual list of the happiest places to live in the UK, based on thousands of responses from residents across Great Britain.
The survey looks beyond bricks and mortar, asking people how they feel about their area, their community, and how close they are to the things that matter most in daily life.
This year, Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in 2025.
Richmond-upon-Thames came second overall, followed by Camden in third place.
Closer to home, Southwark has been rated the happiest borough in south-east London. It ranks fifth within London and 51st nationally.
While the index does not give specific reasons for each area’s score, several features of Southwark may help explain its strong performance.
The borough has excellent transport links, with Underground, Overground and national rail services connecting residents to central London and beyond.
Another strength is Southwark’s access to green space, something that consistently ranks as important to residents in the Happy at Home Index.
Burgess Park, one of the largest parks in inner London, is a central hub for walking, cycling, sports and community events.
Southwark Park, Dulwich Park, Peckham Rye Park and Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park all provide further access to nature, which local residents often cite as a key part of their quality of life.
Culturally, Southwark is one of London’s most diverse and historically rich boroughs.
The South Bank is home to nationally renowned attractions such as the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market and the Imperial War Museum, drawing both tourists and locals year-round.
Beyond the riverfront, areas such as Peckham, Bermondsey, Camberwell and Nunhead have become known for their independent cafés, galleries, food markets, community theatres and small businesses.
The borough stretches from riverside apartments in Bankside to Victorian terraces in Camberwell, post-war estates in Walworth and leafy residential streets in Dulwich.
That mix offers a range of lifestyles and attracts a broad spectrum of residents, from long-standing families to young professionals, students and artists.
According to Rightmove, house prices in Southwark have an overall average of £642,595 over the last year.
Most properties sold in Southwark during the last year were flats, selling for an average price of £517,553.
Terraced properties sold for an average of £943,902, with semi-detached properties fetching £1,156,553.
