Caernarfon named among the happiest places to live in the UK
Introducing the list, the news outlet said: "What makes a place somewhere good to live? Where might we be happiest if we had the choice of going anywhere?
"It's an almost impossible question, as we do not all thrive on the same things, but there are some that are universally agreed to be conducive to cheeriness.
"Our lengthy initial list was the basis for discussion, research and on-the-ground reporting.
"Out of that came our pick of places that generally scored highest as happy places to live.
"There may well be people who disagree with our choices. And I'm afraid we cannot guarantee a joyous life to everyone who lives in any of the places we have featured.
"But one of them could be your happy place."
The Guardian considered several factors when coming up with the list:
The top three happiest places to live in the UK, according to The Guardian, are:
North
South
Midlands
Scotland
Wales
London
"It is difficult, perhaps even impossible, to conjure an image of Caernarfon without the grey stone castle that towers over the town," The Guardian said.
"One of the most historically important buildings of the middle ages, it is where King Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales on 1 July 1969 while the world watched on."
But it's not just the iconic castle that makes Caernarfon one of the best places to live in the UK, but its location as well.
"It is difficult, perhaps even impossible, to conjure an image of Caernarfon without the grey stone castle that towers over the town." (Image: Getty Images) The news outlet continues: "Both the dramatic mountain landscapes of Snowdonia, and the beautiful sandy beaches of the Llŷn Peninsula, are within an hour's drive.
"Although Caernarfon itself has no beach, it is only around seven miles to Dinas Dinlle, a long stretch of sand, more damp and brown than soft and white, with pebbles at the farthest section from the water's edge, but gloriously peaceful.
"The highlight among the beach's smattering of amenities is Braf cafe, offering generous plates of locally sourced fare; Welsh halloumi, Waunfawr mushrooms, and homemade bread."
While the town itself has plenty to offer, from Galeri Caernarfon to its very own holiday park and golf course.
The Guardian explains: "For culture, Galeri Caernarfon houses a cinema, gallery space, and theatre that plays host to music, drama and dance.
"While the cafe has some of the best coffee in town, the real highlight is its terrace, overlooking the harbour, with views across the Menai Strait to Anglesey.
"Cross the bridge on the far side of the harbour, and you'll find an expanse of green grass stretching out towards the water, with a skate park, basketball court, and children's playground.
"There's a holiday park, and a golf course up here, but also plenty of space to take a stroll."
When it comes to the best places to eat in Caenarfon, the news outlet recommended The 16th-century Black Boy Inn, Sheep and Leeks and/or Osteria.
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The Caernarfon Food Festival is also worth a visit, taking place in spring each year.
If you're looking for the best place to buy in the North Wales town, The Guardian suggests Upper Llandwrog, describing it as a "desirable" spot with prices between £340,000 and £395,000.
The news outlet continues: "Closer to town – and the sea – houses on Bangor Road are around £775,000 for a four-bedroom property, or £330,000 for a two-bed bungalow."
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- Wales Online
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Red-legged turnstones are scampering under oyster-crusted pillars, and a new statue of Christie with her favourite dog, Peter, was unveiled in April. She was born in Torquay in 1890 and several novels feature local settings. She would have been more familiar with yesterday's boat and steam train trips than today's Rib ride (£37). A breezy, hour-long coastal tour takes in caves, coves and rocky arches, cormorants and harbourside seals, before flying us back across the bay with the salt spray spattering our laughing faces. Torquay is peppered with Christie-related landmarks, including Beacon Cove, where she nearly drowned; the Grand Hotel, where she honeymooned; and Kents Cavern, which inspired her mystery novel The Man in the Brown Suit. The tour of Kents Cavern leads through a wooden door into dripping tunnels and dens of ancient cave bears, past stalactites, calcite bands and pickaxe marks. The guide lights moss-and-beeswax-filled scallop shells and holds up neolithic skulls like a cheery, enthusiastic Hamlet (£16.95 adults, £14.25 under-16s, if booked in advance). Torquay Museum, in an elegant gothic building five minutes by bus from Kents Cavern, displays the fossilised jawbone of a 41,000-year-old human, one of Britain's earliest Homo sapiens. You can also find stuffed birds and farmhouse kitchens, delicate Egyptian sarcophagi and pictures crafted in Torquay marble. In the UK's only gallery dedicated to Christie, there's also one of her fur coats and the walking stick David Suchet used to play Poirot (£10 adults, £5 under-18s for an annual pass). There's time before our train for a meal at No Seven, a seafood bistro with a sea-view wine bar upstairs. From the Tickled Pink Torquay gin, flavoured with raspberry and rose petals from Torre Abbey garden, through the gurnard with basil and tomato, the tempura plaice and skate wing, to the coffee with local fudge, it's pretty much perfect. Accommodation was provided by Sandridge Barton and travel by GWR (advance tickets from London Paddington to Torquay or Paignton from around £50 each way, or from Taunton from £6 each way), with additional help from English Riviera
