Residents of Ely are the happiest in all of Cambridgeshire according to a study by online property portal Rightmove.

The Happy at Home Index asked over 21,000 respondents across the UK about life in their town. Those involved in the survey were also asked to score their town on ten different ‘happiness factors.’

Included among these factors were how strongly residents felt a sense of ‘community spirit’ in their area, whether they felt they ‘belong’ there (and if they felt they could be themselves without trying to fit in), how friendly the people were and the quality of local amenities and services, like doctors and schools.

Though the nationwide victor emerged as St Ives in Cornwall – with Skipton in North Yorkshire grabbing the number two spot – Ely was found to be the happiest Cambridgeshire location in which to reside. Residents praised the town’s low house prices and were happier overall than respondents in other areas of the county.

Rightmove says that more and more of us now value the ability to easily access nature and green spaces, likely because many of us spend more time working from home following the Covid-19 lockdowns. A significant 56% of survey respondents said that they now place a greater emphasis on the importance of having nearby green spaces when deciding which area to move to.

The company also suggested that the pandemic has brought many of us ‘closer’ to our local area, with a significant chunk of respondents (36%) reporting that they now like their local area more than they previously did.

Director of Property Data at Rightmove, Tim Bannister, 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.

“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.”