Rightmove’s obsession with finding our happy – or not – has revealed a north/south property divide.

Half of the top ten list of happiest places to live in Britain are in the north, with just three in the south, and the remaining two in Wales.

Places in the midlands don’t feature at all (what’s wrong with Leamington Spa?) and towns in East Anglia are among those that happiness sadly forgot – if you’re an agent in Norwich, one of the UK’s loveliest cities (but that’s only our opinion) that should wipe the smile off your face.

The happiest place is Hexham, Northumberland, where locals enjoy a farmers’ market, independent shops, plus access to Hadrian’s Wall, Hexham Abbey, a community owned cinema and a thriving arts centre.

More than 22,000 people responded to Rightmove’s Happy at Home Survey, answering questions about their sense of community spirit, how safe they feel, if they earn enough to live comfortably, and whether local people are friendly.

They were also asked about local facilities, including doctors’ surgeries, schools and parks.

The table shows the ten happiest places to live, plus average asking sales prices and average asking monthly rents, according to Rightmove data:

1. Hexham, North East, £254,237 – £605
2. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £341,524 – £776
3. Richmond-upon-Thames, London, £815,717 – £1,723
4. Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £233,274 – £622
5. Llandrindod Wells, Wales, £145,016 – £478
6. Altrincham, North West, £520,899 – £915
7. Monmouth, Wales, £310,050 – £665
8. Dorchester, South West, £295,124 – £799
9. Sevenoaks, South East, £684,806 – £1,241
10. Southport, North West, £209,360 – £609