Where do the happiest people in the UK live?

The poll, conducted by a national homebuying website, found that seven of the top 10 happiest towns and cities in the UK were in the north of England with east Londoners the least happy.

It looked at 12 measures to assess how happy people were with where they live, including the decorative condition of their property and levels of security within their community.

The only towns in the southern counties of the UK to feature in the top ten were Norwich, Dorchester and Exeter.

But a closer look at the data in the Happy at Home Index reveals only a small difference between happiness among those in the north and the south of the UK – 101 versus 99 respectively.

Localities were measured on the following: neighbourliness, cost, recreation, amenities, safety, space, contentment, value, investment, decor, well-being and pride. Only on recreation and amenities did the southern region score better than its northern neighbour.

Read more: Where is the best place to live in England and Wales?

Glorious Carlisle

The happiest residents appear to be those in Carlisle in Cumbria who scored 107 on the index, compared to people living in postcodes in east London, who only scored 90.

The survey found that, among other things, Carlisle residents are most likely to invest in their home by choosing to spend money on non-essential improvements. By contrast, people in Ilford were least likely to invest in their home.

North, south east, west and east London, all made appearances in the bottom 10 happiest places. The survey, by Rightmove, identifies London – East as the least happy place to live in the UK.

Not everyone in the north is cock-a-hoop, however. Oldham in Greater Manchester scores 94 on the index.

:) Happiest places: Carlisle, York, Huddersfield, Harrogate, Chester, Llandudno, Derby, Norwich, Dorchester, Exeter.

:( Least happy places: East London, Ilford, London – south east, Luton, Romford, Oldham, Enfield, London – north, London – west, Harrow