Best places to live in Yorkshire

Published Apr 30, 2024

6 mins read

If you are wondering where the best places to live in Yorkshire are, read on for guidance from expert property finders, Garrington.

With its sweeping moors, quaint villages, and vibrant cities, Yorkshire has long captured the hearts of residents and visitors alike.

This northern county has plenty to offer if you are considering putting down roots, from bustling cultural hubs like Leeds and Sheffield to the cosy Yorkshire Dales, where life proceeds at a more tranquil pace.

Here we explore some of the area’s most appealing destinations considered among the best places to live in Yorkshire.

The City of York

With its Mediaeval core surrounded by Roman walls, York feels suspended in time yet bustles with modern energy.

York Minster towers majestically over quaint cobbled lanes while the River Ouse ambles under the historic arches of its bridges.

You can enjoy fine dining along the Shambles before catching some racing action at the iconic Knavesmire racecourse which once hosted Royal Ascot.

York offers a range of housing from large period properties and neat, terraced homes to more contemporary dwellings. Top schools like St Peter’s and Queen Margaret’s School Escrick offer education steeped in history and excellence for York families.

Harrogate

Next on our best places to live in Yorkshire list is Harrogate. Known for its healing springs, Harrogate charms with both its natural and manmade treasures. Over 200 acres of open parkland called The Stray sits right within the town centre, perfect for leisurely strolls.

Also, surrounding Valley Gardens and the traditional Montpellier Quarter contain shops showcasing local crafts and products like Harrogate’s very own Taylors of Harrogate.

Afternoon tea and more can be enjoyed at Betty’s iconic Tea Rooms. Georgian and Victorian architecture lend old-world elegance to residential streets lined with stone houses and mature trees.

Ilkley

In the stunning Yorkshire Dales on the banks of the River Wharfe, the Victorian spa town of Ilkley has breathtaking natural beauty as well as cosmopolitan flavour. Ilkley Moor provides the iconic backdrop, famous for the “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at” song.

Quirky independent boutiques, artisan cafés, and restaurants line the streets, and tea and cakes can be enjoyed at another of Betty’s signature Tea Rooms.

Local award-winning schools, attractive Georgian buildings, and stately Victorian villas make Ilkley an appealing option for families. Outdoor enthusiasts will feel at home with ample opportunities for cycling, hiking, rock climbing, or paddling on the Wharfe right on Ilkley’s edge.

Kirkby Overblow

With a name evoking pastoral charm, Kirkby Overblow epitomises Yorkshire’s rural idylls. This small village rewards residents with sweeping views over the lush Wharfe Valley yet sits only a 20-minute drive from the vibrancy of Harrogate and Leeds.

Historic inns like the Shoulder of Mutton Traditional Country Pub portray Kirkby Overblow’s history as a resting spot for stagecoaches headed between Leeds and York.

Neighbouring larger villages lend amenities, allowing Kirkby Overblow to maintain old-world intimacy. Rows of traditional stone cottages and homes give way to spectacular landscapes just outside towns.

The location allows both easy access to urban opportunities as well as room for tranquil contemplation amid the sweeping dales for which Yorkshire is famed.

Boston Spa

With a high street bustling with boutiques and cafés, Boston Spa feels as much town as village.

Handsome Georgian buildings house quirky shops like vintage booksellers, while pubs and eateries line the main streets. Popular residential roads like Church Hill put residents in easy reach of the action.

Extensive walking and cycling routes cater to this active, outdoorsy community. With a rail station connecting to nearby Leeds and York, Boston Spa manages to maintain a peaceful setting while offering city access and amenities.

Historic charm, a friendly community, quality schools, such as Boston Spa Academy, and also abundant recreation earn Boston Spa its spot in our best places to live in Yorkshire poll. It is an appealing base for young professionals, families, and creatives seeking the best of all worlds.

Burley in Wharfedale

Sitting just on the edge of Ilkley Moor, the riverside village of Burley in Wharfedale combines proximity to nature with a vibrant community. Independent coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs line the main street.

Lovely walking trails along the flowing River Wharfe begin just outside town. Handsome residential streets like Mary Avenue and Main Street frame quaint yet modern cottage-style homes and bungalows.

With excellent schools, an array of local events from beer and food festivals to open gardens, and easy access to both Bradford and Leeds, Burley in Wharfedale provides a picture-perfect base to experience Yorkshire’s charms from a welcoming village with all the essential amenities.

Helmsley

Helmsley also earns its place on our best places to live in Yorkshire listing. Situated on the very edge of the breathtaking North York Moors National Park, Helmsley offers residents an unbeatable balance between natural splendour and village life.

The intimate market square is dominated by the striking ruins of Helmsley Castle and tidily kept thatched-roof stone cottages.

Fresh air and wilderness await just steps from lovely boutiques and neighbourhood pubs. Homebuyers prize the sought-after schools, upmarket new builds in nearby villages like Ampleforth, and vast surrounding opportunities for riding, hiking, and rambling.

With its blend of history, eco-friendly community initiatives, and sustainable tourism, Helmsley feels at once quintessentially Yorkshire yet thoroughly modern.

Skipton

Another idyllic spot sitting on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Skipton offers a balance of rural charm and modern convenience. Its bustling high street features local shops and eateries. Neighbouring villages exude quaint historic appeal with limestone buildings and babbling brooks.

Popular residential streets like Newmarket Street and High Corn Mill put homeowners near both town activity and nature trails along the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Events like the international puppet festival embody Skipton’s lively spirit.

With a rail station providing easy access to Leeds and Bradford, Skipton strikes the perfect chord between country and city life amongst the rolling hills of this quintessential pocket of Yorkshire.

Northallerton

Another of the best places to live in Yorkshire is Northallerton. With the laid-back atmosphere of a farming village paired with excellent transport links to neighbouring hotspots.

Streets like Crosby Road and Racecourse Lane are popular for their elegant Victorian homes set near diverse shops from designer boutiques to the ubiquitous Yorkshire staple – the heritage Bettys Tea Room.

The East Coast Main Line train takes residents to London in around 2.5 hours whilst still nestled amid the calm North Yorkshire Moors.

Northallerton High Street hosts regular farmer’s markets with fresh local fare as well as larger retailers for essential conveniences in easy reach. For a balanced North Yorkshire lifestyle blending modern opportunities, rich tradition, and natural beauty, Northallerton hits the spot.

Thirsk

Immortalised as the hometown of veterinarian-turned-author James Herriot, Thirsk wears its literary history with pride. Quaint cobbled streets and honey-coloured stone buildings transport you back to the setting of Herriot’s fictional town “Darrowby” in his iconic novels.

Thirsk Racecourse keeps the excitement of the sport that features heavily in Herriot’s stories alive with seasonal races and events. Residents cherish the ample green spaces like the St Mary’s church grounds and easy Yorkshire Moors access while still enjoying market place conveniences.

For families, pet lovers, equestrians, and history buffs alike, Thirsk’s rich heritage and culture set within spectacular countryside scenery make it a perfect spot to write your own Yorkshire story.

Grassington

The quintessential Yorkshire Dales village, Grassington’s cobbled streets, and stone cottages have recently enchanted new fans as the set of the fictional village “Darrowby” in the hit series “All Creatures Great and Small”.

Whether following in the footsteps of TV vets or wandering the many gorgeous trails right from your doorstep, Grassington invites adventure with idyllic vistas of green dales, drystone walls, and wild moorland. When not mountain-biking or caving under its limestone scars, residents can gather in convivial pubs and tea shops.

Grassington offers a picturesque timelessness befitting the Yorkshire Dales National Park — where life rolls by at an unhurried pace surrounded by sweeping hills and valleys.

Goathland

Goathland offers a postcard-perfect village life amid the wild and sweeping North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Picturesque cottages and leafy residential streets lined with stone walls evoke a simpler era.

Goathland featured as the fictional village of ‘Aidensfield’ for the filming of “Heartbeat”, with reminders of the much-loved drama adding to its unique appeal.

Steam engines chug down the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Line past rolling pastures as hikers adventure to stunning nearby waterfalls.

With local specialties like smoked trout and game pie on menus, heritage aplenty in landmarks like the 1900s railway station, and nature’s splendour at your doorstep, Goathland encapsulates Yorkshire’s beauty, history, and hospitality for an idyllic moorland lifestyle.

On the coast

With its scenic fishing villages, hidden coves, and stretches of windswept sand, the Yorkshire coast rewards residents with its wild beauty and relaxed way of life. From exclusive enclaves to value seaside destinations, these coastal spots are among the best places to live in Yorkshire.

Sandsend

Just north of the famous port town of Whitby, Sandsend offers one of Yorkshire’s most high-end seaside experiences, with boutique hotels and restaurants lining its charming promenade and pebbly beach.

The beach draws beachcombers scouring for fossils and Whitby jet, whilst walkers enjoy stunning views along the well-maintained footpaths. Property values run high, but Sandsend’s clean sandy crescent delivers tranquil respite.

Runswick Bay

Neighbouring Runswick Bay competes as one of Yorkshire’s most picture-perfect coastal villages, with rows of historic whitewashed fishermen’s cottages cascading down towards the red-roofed boat houses edging towards its bay.

While equally as exclusive as Sandsend, Runswick Bay feels quaint and more quintessentially Yorkshire thanks to spots like the cliffside Runswick Bay Hotel.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

For a more affordable seaside base, Saltburn-by-the-Sea offers great value without sacrificing Victorian charm or access to Yorkshire’s nature at its best.

The newly restored pier reaching into the North Sea, cliffside woodland walks, and a broad stretch of golden beach entertain kids and adults alike.

The town centre provides shops and eateries in close reach to beachfront streets like Marine Parade, with pricier modern builds up on Huntcliff for unbeatable sea views. With a bit of everything, Saltburn hits the coastal sweet spot.