It comes as no surprise to us, having lived in Stone for 20 years, but Stone has been named the happiest place to live in Staffordshire (and one of the top dozen towns in the country) according to a national survey out this week.
Furniturebox, a homeware retailer, asked 5,000 people across the UK what makes them happiest about where they live – not money or status, but the stuff that actually matters.
Things like neighbours, green space, cafés, community, and whether homes are within reach.
When the results came back, Stone topped the Staffordshire list, with Burton, Stafford, Lichfield and Newcastle-under-Lyme following behind.
Nationally, Stone landed 12th overall!
The company said its findings showed that the happiest places aren’t always the wealthiest. More often they’re the towns where people feel connected, can get outdoors easily, and don’t have to stretch every penny to stay there.
We’ve lived in Stone for 20 years, with A Little Bit of Stone running for 15 of those years!
Stone has a real sense of community, and you see it everywhere. From the crowds that fills Granville Square and the High Street every November for Remembrance Sunday, the bustle of the Food and Drink Festival on Westbridge Park, or the run of market stalls spilling down the High Street on Farmers’ Market Day – the town has a lot to offer.
Add the canal walks, a coffee where they know your name, and the fact you can’t go far without bumping into someone you know, and it makes sense. Stone’s happiness isn’t a statistic; it’s what happens day to day.
Norwich came first nationally, followed by Skipton and Malvern. But in Staffordshire at least, it’s Stone that leads the way!
Here’s some images of life in Stone, thanks to all the groups and organisations that put their time (and money) into giving the town a real soul!
5 comments
Martin J Holdcroft
I’m not surprised it’s a lovely little town, as for being happy,that doesn’t surprise me either,all I could smell was weeded!
Even we left a tad happier!
Mohinder
I have lived in Stone for over 40 years and have always enjoyed walking around town centre. It’s a great place to live.
Arun Kumar Mohanty
Just a Visitor from India on an official business trip to Stone, UK. Been here before in 2018, and came again after 7 long years. This place amazes me, the town, the people, the shops, so peaceful and friendly town it is. I dont know how a month passed away, but it feels like yesterday. Would love to be back again soon.
Nick Hancock
I love Stone but the sample numbers are frankly embarrassing to draw any assumptions from. Wonderful place, really ludicrous claim as a statistical fact. Businesses using these figures are complicit in a needless financial smokescreen. Beautiful, wonderful place why grab hold of spurious research to sell it? Counterproductive!! Just me?
Anne Melbourne
It’s a lovely town !!!!