Two towns in the Midlands have been celebrated among the very best places to live in the United Kingdom, according to a major new national survey. The rankings, compiled by the property portal Rightmove, are uniquely based on the opinions of residents themselves, who were asked about their living experiences and whether they would recommend their hometown to others.
Leamington Spa and Lichfield Lead the Region
Leamington Spa was crowned the best place to live in the Midlands region, achieving an impressive 12th place on the national list. The Warwickshire town is praised for its scenic countryside surroundings, offering a peaceful and relatively crime-free environment. Its location provides the perfect balance, being far enough from the urban centres of Birmingham and Coventry for tranquillity, yet remaining within easy commuting distance, making it an ideal spot for professionals.
Hot on its heels in 13th place nationally was the historic cathedral city of Lichfield in Staffordshire. Renowned for its stunning architecture and heritage, upmarket Lichfield is consistently regarded as one of the most desirable and affluent parts of the Midlands in which to set up home.
Strong Regional Showing in Top 40
The Midlands' appeal was further underscored by several other locations securing commendable positions within the national top 40. The list of celebrated towns includes the Shakespearean heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, the county town of Shropshire, Shrewsbury, the historic Staffordshire market town of Tamworth, and the Worcestershire city of Worcester. This strong collective performance highlights the diverse attractiveness of the Midlands, from cultural hubs to historic market towns.
National Winners and Local Challenges
At the very top of the national table, Skipton, located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, was crowned the happiest place to live in the UK. However, the survey also revealed challenges for some areas. In a stark contrast, Walsall was identified by its own residents as one of the least happy places, ranking 216th out of 220 locations surveyed, placing it as the fifth least happy place in the country.
The 2026 Rightmove study, which gathered views from people across 220 towns and cities, provides a powerful snapshot of community satisfaction and quality of life, directly from those who know these places best.
