Plagued by marauding Scots in the Middle Ages and home to England’s oldest purpose-built prison, its name was once used as a euphemism for Hell.
But the small market town of Hexham now seems to be a byword for paradise – after being crowned the happiest place to live in Britain.
Boasting a seventh-century abbey, idyllic countryside and a farmer’s market, the Northumberland town topped the ‘happy at home’ poll by property site Rightmove.
Hexham is now the number two placer in the Index since 2019. The Northumberland has an average house price of £297,088
Anglesey (Wales) came in number 10. Rightmove’s poll, now in its tenth year, is based on factors such as community spirit, safety and green spaces
Just a stone’s throw away from Hadrian’s Wall, its attractions include a golf course set in 70 acres of parkland as well as a Grade I-listed clubhouse.
And if that’s not appealing enough, Hexham – which is home to around 11,000 people – has an average house price of £297,088.
That’s around a quarter of the average asking price in the south-west London suburb of Richmond, which came second in the survey, and lower than the nationwide average of £342,401.
Hexham, in Northumberland has seventh-century abbey (pictured) and boasts idyllic countryside and a farmer’s market
Hexham rowers enjoying the River Tyne. This small town was voted the most happy place in Britain.
Rightmove’s poll, now in its tenth year, is based on factors such as community spirit, safety and green spaces.
It is the second time Hexham has topped the index since 2019 while last year’s highest-ranking town, St Ives in Cornwall, came eighth.
Mayor of Hexham Derek Kennedy said they were ‘thrilled’ with the ranking, praising the town’s ‘great history’ and ‘community spirit’.