We heard the news today about a new survey that set out to discover the happiest places to live in the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that the areas of Fermanagh and Omagh in Northern Ireland tops the chart as the happiest place to be!

The survey questioned participants on four different measures of well-being – happiness, life satisfaction, feeling life was worthwhile and anxiety. The survey was first carried out in 2011 and it has found that personal well-being and overall happiness has risen every year since then – so we’re a nation of happy chappies?

Other happy areas to live include the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, Eilean Siar in Northern Scotland, West Somerset and the Orkney Islands. Sadly, nowhere in Wales made it into the top 5, but we think our beautiful area deserves a mention. We are super happy in Snowdonia, and here’s why…..

• We’ve got gorgeous scenery all around us! Snowdonia is home to the highest mountain range in England & Wales, and has some of the most dramatic peaks and hills you’ll see in Britain.

Image by Brendan Gogarty on freeimages.com

• And it’s not just mountains either – we’ve got the seaside!! Miles and miles and miles of glorious beaches.
• Don’t forget the historic woodlands and ancient forests too. If trees could talk they’d tell tales of century old battles, legendary tales of knights, wizards and the mabinogion.
• We’ve got our own language – how cool is that?
• Snowdonia is the Welsh capital of adventure sports, so if ever we’re bored, we’ve got an adventure playground on our doorstep. Fancy a bounce on a giant indoor trampoline in a cavern? No worries! Fancy a surf in Europe’s first artificial surfing lake? Go ahead! How about speeding over a disused quarry on Europe’s fastest zip wire? You can do that too! As well as rock-climbing, abseiling, kayaking, coasteering, wild swimming, camping…. phew! Pass me the energy bar.
• We’ve got thousands of years of culture and history wrapped up in this beautiful landscape – from iron-age forts to medieval castles, Victorian engineering to modern industries. Snowdonia is Welsh history at its finest!
• We make some pretty good ales, and some delicious food. Try our local delicacies and local real ales – guaranteed to make you happy!
• We’re a friendly bunch – our fellow Snowdonians are a welcoming and friendly bunch, and this makes it so easy to live happy and be happy in Snowdonia.
• So if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands and come and see us!

Image by henri snijders on freeimages.com