The 'hidden gem' borough an hour from Greater Manchester with ‘half-price’ homes and the 'happiest' residents

A borough which lies just an hour from Manchester has been named one of the happiest and most affordable places to live.

New research by eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents, has revealed the best parts of the UK to live in, with average house prices below the national average.

North Kesteven was awarded the happiest area in the UK property market for homebuyers wanting to avoid breaking the bank. Boasting a happiness score of 8.09, and with a average house value of £257,199, it is 12 percent cheaper than the UK benchmark.

But there is one 'hidden gem' area closer to Manchester that offers the best mix of a happy life and an affordable foot on the ladder. Pendle, a borough in Lancashire, was awarded a happiness score of 8.06 and has an average house price that is half of the UK average of £292,059..

Pendle, which includes several towns and villages such as Barley, Barrowford, Fence and Nelson, has an average house price of £146,516. According to Rightmove, the majority of properties sold in Pendle during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £116,647.

Estate agents are raving about the borough, from its 'stunning' landscapes and attractive lifestyle to its diverse property market. Gavin Hilton, Director of Hilton & Horsfall Estate Agents which covers Pendle, told the Manchester Evening News: "Pendle has long been a hidden gem in the property market, offering an incredible quality of life paired with affordability.

"The borough’s stunning landscapes, such as the rolling hills of the Pendle countryside and picturesque villages like Barrowford and Fence, are key attractions. These areas not only offer idyllic living but also maintain strong community ties that contribute to