Video: Happiest place to live - ‘If there is life after death, I’d like it to be in Richmond’

Is Richmond the happiest place in the UK? Apple TV's feelgood football-based comedy-drama Ted Lasso has exposed the affluent area of southwest London to an even wider audience - even beyond those familiar with Richmond Park and Kew Gardens - and now the area has topped a study by Rightmove of the UK's happiest areas.

Each year the property company carries out a survey and ranks parts of the country in its Happy At Home Index. Richmond is the first London borough to make the number one spot, with Kensington and Chelsea coming in at number eight.

LondonWorld went out in Richmond to find out how happy people are.

Kande told us: "I have been living here for the last 40 years, 42 years, and if there is a life after death, I would choose to come back again in Richmond. I like the people in Richmond, they are very nice, it's a very cosmopolitan. And the riverside is very beautiful."

Grace, who was out with Jane, said: "It's a great place to live. It feels very safe. The High Street is great - it has everything you want - and the park and the riverside. It's all great."

Jane said: "I really like it - its lovely open spaces - yeah, it feels quite safe. I mean, I've lived here now for about 10 years, and the High Street has really changed. It's such a shame that lots of the good independent shops have gone and loads of shops are closed now."

Grace added: "I think we could do the Christmas market. I think that would make Richmond a hundred times better."

Richmond is best known for its green spaces, including the 2,500-acre Richmond Park and Kew Gardens. The High Street has a wide array of restaurants and cafes, and the area is home to venues including Richmond Theatre and Orange Tree Theatre.

Residents scored the area highly for a sense of belonging and being comfortable to be themselves within the community.

Rightmove's research involved a survey of 26,000 people across Britain, asking them how happy they are about where they live.

Average house prices of around £1 million make Richmond one of the most expensive places in the UK to buy property.

Dawn Platt, associate director of estate agent Chestertons’ local branch, said: “Richmond really has got it all. Access to nature, schools, entertainment, good eateries, bars and shops. On top of access to nature, schools, entertainment, good eateries, bars and shops, the borough benefits from a riverside location and great transport links.

“Thanks to its lifestyle offerings, it’s not difficult to see why Richmond has established itself as one of London’s most sought-after locations nor why residents are happy living here.  Due to its community feel, many see Richmond as an area to settle down in long-term."