Surbiton North is one of the happiest places to live in London, according to The Guardian
The Guardian has released a list of the happiest places to live in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and Surbiton North is among the places within London.
When considering what makes a place "happy", The Guardian said:" easy access to countryside and parks, sea, lakes and rivers were high on the list of ingredients, as studies have shown that getting out and about in nature can help improve your mood."
It added: "Being fit and well, and able to see a doctor when you are not, are also helpful, so we looked at the average driving time to GPs, hospitals, pharmacist and dentists.
"These sets of data, together with information about air quality were contributed to by the Geographic Data Science Lab at the University of Liverpool.
"The things that make life easier are also likely to lead to a happier life. For this reason, we included broadband speeds, marking areas down where, according to Ofcom, they were below 30MB. We thought about transport, and what could take some of the strain out of travelling.
"Our measure of this was how far you could get on public transport within half an hour, reflecting the local infrastructure and ease of getting around without a car. And we included crime figures."
The paper also reflected on the importance of culture and community, and thus "gave extra weight to these factors, as measured by 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".
So why did Surbiton North make the list?
The Guardian said: "This is suburbia straight out of central casting … but (it could be argued) just the good bits. It's definitely leafy, with some lovely parks and green spaces, and lots of tree-lined streets. You can hear birdsong as you stroll along them. And you've got the Thames right at your doorstep.
"For those of a certain age, Surbiton, on the south-west fringes of London, will be forever associated with classic 70s sitcom The Good Life.
"The Surbiton North neighbourhood still feels like a place for anyone looking to escape the urban bustle, but it's also perfectly located for those who need quick and easy access to the Big Smoke. One of its biggest selling points is its speedy commuting time into Waterloo: the fastest trains take just 15 minutes.
"A walk down St James' Road and along one of the "River Roads" will take you to the Thames in a few minutes. Via a slightly more circuitous route you can sample Claremont Gardens, a tranquil crescent-shaped park with paths, benches and a small pond.
"Maple Road is probably about as buzzy as this area gets. One local estate agent described it as "a bustling and trendy community stacked with coffee shops, independent stores and a diverse dining scene," which might be overdoing it a bit, but it's certainly a nice spot, with a lovely little park (St Andrew's Square) and a parade of shops including well-regarded eateries, clothing boutiques and the like. Its award-winning farmers' market held on the third Saturday of each month typically features more than 25 stalls.
"The top of Ewell Road also falls within this neighbourhood, as does the residential area known as Berrylands, which is popular with families.
"Where to go
The Harts Boatyard is a great place to watch the world go by.
"What to do
If you're into messing about on the water, Thames Sailing Club, founded in 1870, is the UK's oldest river sailing club. Just up the road is Kingston's Rose theatre.
"Where to breathe
Fishponds Park, down the road, is a great spot for a stroll.
"Where to buy
The River Roads, are a top spot: you might be looking at around £475,000 for a two-bed flat in Grove Road or Cadogan Road. You can add a bit more for a Thames view."
Also among London's happiest places to live is Clapham Junction, The Ridgeway in Enfield, Bounds Green, and Bromley.
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