It boasts stunning views of the South Downs and is home to a 3 mile stretch of beach which is popular with tourists.
But this dub of Britain’s saddest borough doesn’t mean much to its wildest inhabitants.
The Shetland Islands are technically the happiest place in the UK, according to a massive government-funded project that tracks happiness levels.
Residents living further afield in the Scottish Isles scored an average of 8.22 according to the Office for National Statistics.ONS) happiness index.
On the other hand, Adur’s comparison was 6.16.
Adur, by A Labor Council, the popular seaside town of Shoreham-by-Sea as well as Southwick, Langs and Sompting. It is sandwiched between Worthing and Brighton in West Sussex.
The full results of the ONS survey, which involves tens of thousands of Britons each year, can be found on MailOnline’s interactive map.
Last year, the average happiness score across the UK as a whole fell to 7.39 – the lowest figure since 2020/21 since the birth of Covid.
Statisticians did not say what might be behind the decline.
Although the data cover a period when Britain was mired in the cost of living.
Studies have also shown that mental and physical health are deteriorating as a result of Covid and lockdowns.
The Western Isles – the Outer Hebrides – were the second happiest at 8.12.
It was followed by North Kesteven in Lincolnshire (8.09), Pendle, Lancashire (8.06) and Malvern Hills (8.06) in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and North Gloucestershire.
At the other end of the scale, Adour is followed by Hastings (6.56) and Eastbourne (6.57), both in East Sussex.
Every year, the ONS compiles scores across Britain on life satisfaction, feelings of worth, happiness and stress.
The four personal well-being questions are, ‘How satisfied are you with your life right now?’
Volunteers were asked, ‘How important do you feel the things you do in your life?’, ‘How happy were you yesterday?’ and ‘How stressed were you yesterday?’
On average, the UK scored 7.39 out of 10 for happiness, down from 7.45 in 2021/22.
Excluding the first year of the outbreak, the figure is the lowest since 2013/14.
Overall, 8.9 percent of people reported a low level of happiness — up from 8.5 percent last year.
Life satisfaction and sense of accomplishment also dropped to 7.45 and 7.73, respectively, compared to 7.54 and 7.77 at the end of March 2022.
Meanwhile, stress levels rose from 3.12 to 3.23. This is the highest number on record, apart from the year when Covid hit.
However, statistically significant changes were seen only in the parameters for England.
The lack of statistical significance in jurisdictions may be due to the small amount of data collected, the ONS said.
Yesterday, Woodbridge in Suffolk was reported to be the happiest place to live in Britain.
It topped the poll after residents scored highly for its community spirit and friendliness – and the feeling they could be there themselves.
According to property website Rightmove, which compiled the report, the upmarket town is also praised for its access to essential services such as doctors and schools.
Last year, the top London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames was second, with Hexham in Northumberland third.
