A town in North Wales has been named among the top three happiest places to live in Britain. The historic coastal town of Caernarfon ranks below Berwick upon Tweed in first place and Evesham in second on The Guardian's list. The paper took into account crime data, average time to see GPs, hospitals, pharmacists and dentists as well as access to countryside and parks, sea, lakes and rivers.
Caernarfon was celebrated for its quaint feel, as well as its access to gorgeous North Wales nature. The property prices in the area are not as steep as one might expect for such a beautiful part of the world.
The list also included broadband speeds, marking areas down where, according to Ofcom, they were below 30MB. It also considered how far people could get on public transport within half an hour and air quality.
Culture and community were also looked at, with the town given extra weight for proximity to cinemas, theatres and museums, pubs and libraries, using data from sources including the Food Standards Agency, and various industry reports and listings websites.
Caernarfon is best known for its castle. It is widely regarded as the largest and most imposing of the ring of castles built by Edward I after he conquered North Wales. Nearly 750 years later, the castle remains in excellent condition.
A substantial investment in its waterfront rejuvenated the town, bringing it from medieval times to the modern day. This makes it a great spot for an ice cream by the beach, even before you head to the incredible castle.
According to the Guardian review, not only is the town itself beautiful, but there are treats for the eyes only a short distance away: "Both the dramatic mountain landscapes of Snowdonia and the beautiful sandy beaches of the Llŷn Peninsula are within an hour’s drive."
"You can get a sense of living in the mountains, but you’re only 15 minutes away from the town," one local estate agent agreed.
What's more, property prices are not as eye-watering as one might expect. Upper Llandwrog is a desirable spot, with prices between £340,000 and £395,000. Closer to town – and the sea – houses on Bangor Road are around £775,000 for a four-bedroom property, or £330,000 for a two-bed bungalow.
