Best places to live in Yorkshire
Whether you are relocating to the North East or are looking to move within the region, you may need help deciding where the best places to live in Yorkshire are.
The driving factors behind your move will determine your ideal Yorkshire location: From those who need to reach their place of work easily or make regular trips to London, to those who are planning on working from home and fast internet speed and a reliable connection are the key. It could be that life on the coast is what you’re after or a cosy home in a village is your dream.
Maybe you are seeking a location that offers good amenities with ready access to the countryside; there are many drivers behind home moves and here we highlight some of the best places to live in Yorkshire and the reasons why they might be the ideal place to look for a home.
Yorkshire cities
If you are looking for the vibrancy, convenience, and commuter links that a city location can offer, there are several cities in Yorkshire to choose from. Here we look at 3 of Yorkshire’s popular cities:
York
As UK cities go, York is comfortably one of the most attractive in the country and one of the best places to live in Yorkshire. Beautiful historic buildings line the cobbled streets and ancient walls mark its boundaries.
Whilst the properties are very appealing to look at, there are several other reasons why it is such a wonderful place to live. York is large enough to enjoy a cosmopolitan feel but small enough to not feel overwhelming as some cities can.
York is a friendly place and despite its rich history, it is still a fresh and exciting place to live.
Additionally, York has an excellent connection to London; by rail from York Station you can reach London’s Kings Cross in just over 2 hours – not a dissimilar travel time to the Manchester to London route.
York is ideal for commuting to London on an irregular basis. From York Station you can also reach Manchester by train in around 1 hour and 20 minutes, Leeds is just 25 minutes away and Edinburgh is 2 and a half hours.
Leeds
Leeds stands out as one of the best places to live in Yorkshire, offering an ideal balance of urban convenience and suburban calm.
This city is renowned for its excellent schools, both public and private. For example, there are several highly regarded schools such as Roundhay High School and the prestigious Grammar School at Leeds, catering to ages 3 to 18.
London is just over two hours away by mainline train services from Leeds to King’s Cross, enhancing its appeal for those needing to travel to the capital regularly.
Ripon
Ripon is a historic cathedral city known for its rich heritage and picturesque surroundings. The city centre offers excellent and varied everyday shopping facilities as well as numerous recreational amenities. It is home to one of the most highly regarded grammar schools in the region.
Ripon provides easy access to Harrogate, located 12 miles to the south, and Leeds, approximately 30 miles to the south. Regular train services from York and Northallerton offer direct connections to London’s Kings Cross, while both Leeds/Bradford and Teesside airports provide national and international flight options.
Internet connection in Yorkshire
Whilst the internet connection is great in Yorkshire’s cities, many move to this part of the country for the beautiful countryside, and finding a home that offers the very best balance of rural and urban is the goal.
Working from home is becoming the new norm for most of the UK workforce – internet connection has never been more important so it is prudent to research the location you are considering to ensure it meets your needs.
With a lesser need to commute daily, many buyers are seeking locations where they can easily work from home, have space for a dedicated home office, and have the ability to commute to the office irregularly – Harrogate is among the best places to live in Yorkshire for ticking these boxes.
Yorkshire Coast – Places to live by the sea
The Yorkshire Coast is a beautiful stretch of coastline on the east coast of England that runs from the Tees estuary to the Humber estuary. There are many places to explore from sheltered bays and beautiful beaches to the historic, charming red-roof cottages and popular places to eat and drink.
Runswick Bay
One of the most desirable places to live on the Yorkshire Coast is Runswick Bay, often shortened to Runswick, it is a village located on the western edge of the bay, 5 miles north of the well-known seaside town of Whitby.
Runswick Bay is particularly popular with boat lovers as it is home to one of the country’s oldest sailing clubs which was founded in 1953.
Ramblers can enjoy the 109-mile National Trail, Cleveland Way.
Being such a small village, properties rarely become available in Runswick or the neighbouring villages of Ellerby and Hinderwell and when they do become available to buy there is often fierce competition to secure them.
Sandsend
Another highly desirable location on the Yorkshire Coast is Sandsend. This charming seaside village retains its unspoiled character while offering all the necessary amenities for comfortable living making it high up on the list of best places to live in Yorkshire.
There are a variety of facilities, including a gastro pub, fish restaurant, excellent café, shops, regular bus service, and also a doctors’ surgery.
Just a five-minute drive away, or a 25-minute walk along the beach at low tide, lies Whitby. Whitby is situated at the heart of the Heritage Coast and is surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the North York Moors National Park.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Robin Hood’s Bay is another highly appealing coastal village located on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors south of Whitby. As a typical fishing village, it features narrow walkways lined with picturesque period cottages. The winding roads descend steeply towards the expansive sandy bay, framed by the stunning North York Moors.
Robin Hood’s Bay is not only a remarkably lovely seaside village but also offers a good range of amenities to meet daily needs. The larger towns of Whitby and Scarborough are conveniently nearby, providing a broader selection of shops and facilities.
Best villages in Yorkshire
Narrowing it down to just one village to name as the ‘best’ village in Yorkshire is a near-impossible task, but if challenged to name our favourite Yorkshire village it would have to be Boston Spa. Other villages that we’d strongly advise be considered include Hutton-le-Hole and Kettlewell. Here is a little more about these villages:
Boston Spa
Boston Spa is located on the banks of the River Wharfe, less than half an hour from Leeds. Filled with pretty honey-hued homes, this family-friendly village stands out as one of the best places to live in Yorkshire for a number of reasons.
Not only is it very attractive, but the village also has a wide range of amenities including shops and a popular school that caters to all age groups.
The market town of Wetherby is only a short distance away. Additionally, the village’s proximity to the A1 makes it an ideal location for commuters, providing easy access to the region’s motorway network.
Hutton-le-Hole
Hutton-le-Hole is a picturesque village in the North York Moors National Park. It is surrounded by the limestone headlands of the Tabular Hills and the heather-covered Spaunton Moor. A moorland stream meanders through the village green, adding to its charm.
The village is home to the Ryedale Folk Museum and offers two cafés and a public house, with an additional pub located in neighbouring Lastingham.
The city of York is around 35 miles to the south, offering a mainline railway service to Edinburgh, Manchester, and London Kings Cross in under two hours. Additionally, Thirsk provides a direct service to Kings Cross.
Kettlewell
Situated within the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales National Park and traversed by the River Wharfe, Kettlewell is popular with walkers to enjoy the splendid fells and explore nearby landmarks such as Coverhead Pass and Great Whernside.
Kettlewell is a quintessential Dales village with a Village Hall that hosts numerous events, three public houses, a well-regarded primary school, and a local store.
Skipton, located 14 miles from Kettlewell, offers railway services to Leeds, Bradford, and Settle. Additionally, Skipton provides a daily direct return service to London Kings Cross, ensuring excellent connectivity for residents and visitors alike.
Yorkshire towns
Yorkshire has several vibrant and picturesque towns, we have selected a few that we consider to be among the best places to live in Yorkshire:
Skipton
One of our favourite Yorkshire market towns is Skipton, located along the A59 main road making it easily accessible by car and especially attractive to those who need to commute to nearby Leeds as the train from Skipton to Leeds takes just 20 minutes.
Skipton is fondly known as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’ due to its position on the very edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park meaning residents have enviable access to the dales. Skipton has an excellent array of amenities including shops, supermarkets, and renowned grammar schools. Also, markets are held on various days all through the week.
Helmsley
Helmsley is another popular location on our best places to live in Yorkshire list. Situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park and the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Helmsley has significant architectural character.
It is a charming town with a weekly market and an excellent variety of independent local shops, including clothing stores, a doctor’s surgery, delicatessens, cafés, restaurants, hotels, a spa, and a local brewery.
York is approximately 24 miles to the south, and the A1(M) is about 22 miles to the west. Regular direct trains to London run from Thirsk (14 miles away) and York, with some journeys taking less than two hours.
Helmsley has a primary school, with Ryedale Secondary School located just under three miles to the east. Ampleforth College is about four miles away.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough is another historic market town in North Yorkshire known for its well-preserved medieval streets and stunning setting, perched on the cliffs above the River Nidd.
The town offers picturesque river walks and a traditional marketplace with a weekly farmers market.
The location is ideal for commuters, with excellent road and rail links to Harrogate, York, and Leeds, all providing direct services to London and beyond.
There are numerous eateries, artisan cafés, and also butcher shops in the town. Additionally, it boasts excellent state schools and easy access to some of the finest private schools in the region.
Harrogate
The charming Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate combines excellent amenities, top schools, beautiful homes, and ready access to the countryside. Surrounded by 200 acres of open grassland known as The Stray, Harrogate provides a unique and scenic environment.
Harrogate is also well connected, with Leeds just a short distance away, easily reached by train or car, offering rail connections to London, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Additionally, the A1(M) is just 10 miles away, providing convenient access to both the north and south.
Best places to live in Yorkshire
There are many more wonderful places to live in Yorkshire. As experienced property finders, our local team is well-placed to assist with searches across Yorkshire and North East England.
So, whatever the driving factor behind your home moving plans we would be delighted to help find the ideal home in the perfect location to suit your requirements and lifestyle.
To talk to us regarding your plans to move and to learn more about our services please do contact us, without obligation.
