The official list of the happiest places to live in the UK for 2021 have been revealed thanks to an annual poll by property platform Rightmove.
But Greater Manchester is nowhere to be seen.
The ‘Happy at Home’index – which is now in its 10th year – was conducted using the responses of more than 21,000 people across the UK, who were asked to explain how they feel about where they live.
Respondents were asked to rate several aspects of where they live for the study, such as friendliness, community spirit, nature and green spaces, schools, restaurants, shops, and sports facilities, and were also asked about opportunities locally to develop skills and whether people feel they can be themselves.
The Northumberland market town of Hexham has been named Britain’s happiest place to live this year, after having already claimed the title back in 2019.
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Last year’s number one, St Ives in Cornwall, was eighth in the 2021 rankings.
The top five was rounded out by Richmond-upon-Thames in London, Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Hove on the East Sussex coast, and the Welsh town of Llandrindod Wells, while other North West towns on the 2021 list include Kendal in Cumbria at 14th place, and the nearby Cheshire town of Macclesfield at 15.
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Yet the region of Greater Manchester does not have any representatives within the top 20 list.
According to Rightmove, around a third of this year’s top 20 towns are market towns, while the study also revealed that people living in coastal villages tend to be happiest.
It also found that 69% of people who had moved in the last year have relocated to a new area, with 64% now feeling happier where they live.
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81% of those who moved from a town to a village said they now feel happier.
Top 20 Happiest Places in the UK
Hexham
Richmond-upon-Thames
Harrogate
Hove
Llandrindod Wells
Stirling
Monmouth
St Ives
Anglesey
Leamington Spa
Perth
Hitchin
Woodbridge
Kendal
Macclesfield
Exeter
Salisbury
Horsham
St Albans
Guildford
You can read the full results of the 2021 ‘Happy at Home’ index on Rightmove here.
Featured Image – Flickr (Billy Wilson)
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McDonald’s announces 2024 Christmas menu with new Cheesy McCrispy, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie, and more
Emily Sergeant
McDonald’s has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2024, and there’s lots of festive feasting to get stuck into.
It’s been a long time coming, but after several chains and fast food joints have already announced and launched their festive food and drink offerings for 2024 over the last few weeks, McDonald’s has finally joined the Christmas party, and there’s a bunch of new and returning fan favourites on the lineup to get those mouths watering.
We’re talking Cheese Melt Dippers, seasonal McFlurrys, limited-edition festive pies, and a cheesy twist on one of the chain’s most popular burgers.
New to the menu this year is the Cheesy McCrispy, which is a “levelled up” version of the McCripsy we all know and love, taking the classic crispy chicken fillet and all the trimmings, and combining it with two slices of cheese, and lashings of rich cheese sauce.
McDonald’s has unveiled is Christmas menu for 2024 / Credit: McDonalds UK
Other burgers on the lineup are the grand return of the Big Tasty and Big Tasty with Bacon, both made with a 100% beef patty, Emmental cheese, onions, juicy tomatoes, and topped off with a unique smoky-flavoured sauce nested in a freshly-toasted bun.
Also being thrown back into the mix this year are the Cheese Melt Dippers, which are the perfect festive feast accompaniment made with camembert and served with a rich tomato dip.
Happy Meals will also be taking on a special Grinch theme this year too.
Got yourself a bit of sweet tooth though? There’s two new tasty treats to choose from this year, alongside the return of the beloved Galaxy Caramel McFlurry.
There’s a bunch of new and returning fan favourites on the lineup / Credit: Visual Karsa (via Unsplash)
If Galaxy Caramel isn’t your thing, then perhaps chocolate orange will be instead, as 2024 brings the introduction of the Terry’s Chocolate Orange McFlurry, with Terry’s Chocolate Orange mini segments and chocolate orange sauce swirled into the ice cream, and then there’s the Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie.
This year, McDonald’s has combined its classic pie with everyone’s favourite zesty chocolate to create a crispy chocolate pastry filled with a Terry’s Chocolate Orange-flavoured ganache.
On the hot drinks front, you have a Galaxy Caramel Latte and a Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate to choose from.
The full McDonald’s 2024 Festive Menu will be available to tuck into from 20 November, and is expected to stick around until the new year.
Featured Image – McDonald’s UK
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Asda relaunches over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1
Emily Sergeant
Asda is bringing back its popular £1 ‘winter warmer’ cafe meal deal to support the over 60s during the colder months.
After it was sadly revealed that almost one in five elderly people claimed there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul last Christmas, and that during the run up to the big day, 15% said they got used to not conversing with other people, Asda has decided to relaunch one of its most widely-praised cafe meal deals again this year.
To support those who need it most as the temperatures drop, the supermarket is, once again, offering all over 60s the chance to enjoy some hearty soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of its cafes across the UK.
Back by popular demand, this year’s Winter Warmer initiative is bigger and better than ever, with three soup flavours to choose from.
With the offer now running until the end of 2024, Asda is aiming to transform its in store dining spaces into ‘Chatty Cafes’ – where senior citizens can come together under one roof, eat and drink, and make some new friends.
As well as its ‘Chatty Cafe’ offer, Asda colleagues will be also be donning ‘Happy to Chat’ badges throughout the festive season, checking in on older customers in store and when delivering home shopping orders, while the Asda Foundation will deliver £600k worth of grants to tackle loneliness amongst the elderly by boosting activities in the local communities, and funding Christmas celebrations.
Asda has relaunched its over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1 / Credit: Asda
“Christmas is a time to enjoy time with loved ones,” explained David Hills, who is the Chief Customer Officer at Asda, “and the fact one in 10 of our older generation is facing Christmas alone is genuinely sobering.
“That’s why we’re proud to invest almost £1 million through our in-store initiatives and grants to do what we can to tackle loneliness and isolation in the communities we serve.
“Our teams do incredible work to support communities all year round, and I’m so proud to be able to launch the Chatty Cafés initiative today, alongside our renowned Winter Warmers deal, which we know is a lifeline to many.”
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2021 
