Best villages in England: North East

There are many, many delightful villages throughout the North East region of the UK but which do we believe to be amongst the best villages in England? Whether you’re looking for a coastal village, a quiet village surrounded by the moors or a busy village with a thriving community not too far from a larger hub – there is likely a village that meets your preferences in the north east.

Whilst we could have listed many more villages, we’ve listed just 5, some of our favourites in the northeast region.

North Rigton, North Yorkshire

Only a few kilometres south of Harrogate is the village of North Rigton, as with most villages located south of Harrogate, it is a highly desirable place to live and should be included when considering the best villages in England. North Rigton is located within easy reach of Harrogate, Ilkley and Otley, all towns which offer excellent shopping, good schooling options and a range of other amenities and facilities. The cities of Leeds, York and Bradford are also within relatively easy reach. North Rigton is a pretty village with a strong sense of community with several community run events through the year.

Nearby, the village of Huby is also a sought after place to live with its own train station offering direct services into York, Leeds and Harrogate. Another village nearby with a small train station offering services to the same destinations is Weeton.

Bamburgh, Northumberland

The village of Bamburgh is located within the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Beauty, overlooked by the impressive Bamburgh Castle. Set within beautiful surrounds, many of the properties enjoy views of pretty village life, glorious countryside or over the sand dunes and out to sea.

Bamburgh village centre offers many amenities; shops, cafes and public houses, all within a short walk of Bamburgh beach.

Within a short distance of the village are several other pretty villages including Alnwick, the location of the historic castle where the Harry Potter movies were filmed, Beadnell which is popular with those who enjoy water sports and Chillingham; the home of the wild Chillingham Cattle.

This corner of England is particularly beautiful, Bamburgh is just one example of a sought after village, there are many sought after places to live in the local area. Bamburgh is amongst the best villages in England.

Thornton-Le-Dale, North Yorkshire

One of the most picturesque villages within the North York Moors National Park, Thornton Le Dale is a popular place to live and one of the best villages in England. The village is situated a few miles from the market town of Pickering and around 8 miles from Malton where you can catch a train to York, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.

Thornton Le Dale has excellent amenities; independent shops and restaurants and two public houses, largely all surrounding the village green.

Not only is the village exceptionally pretty with many historical homes including 17th century Almshouses and thatched cottages, it is also located within the North York Moors meaning residents can enjoy the beautiful countryside on their doorstep.

Corbridge, Northumberland

Corbridge is an idyllic, historic village with an array of small independent shops, artisan and antique stores and many excellent places to eat and drink. Corbridge is the site of a Roman town located on Hadrian’s Wall and Aydon Castle is nearby.

The village is located a few miles from the market town of Hexham which offers further amenities and approximately 16 miles away from Newcastle upon Tyne; Corbridge train station offers a direct service to Newcastle.

There are several excellent hotels nearby for leisure and sports, including golf, such as Maften Hall, located a couple of miles away from Corbridge.

Villages such as Newbrough and Fourstones are also worth considering if you’re looking for a property to buy in the area.

Sandsend, North Yorkshire

Only a few miles from the popular coastal town of Whitby, Sandsend is a pretty seaside village. Sandsend beach is popular with residents and visitors alike, especially for the rock pools when the tide is out. There are also several popular walking routes for ramblers and hikers.

Sandsend has a good selection of amenities and several great places to eat and drink. Just outside of the village, on the road heading to Whitby is the Raithwaite Estate, a popular hotel and luxury spa. Nearby the Mulgrave Estate opens their pretty gardens on set dates through the year in order to raise money for charity.

Residents are spoilt, able to enjoy both the beautiful Yorkshire Coast and the North York Moor National Park, it is a truly picturesque location.

Places to live in North East England

We have only included a small sample of the wonderful places to live in the North East of England, whether you’re looking to find a village in Yorkshire, Northumberland or County Durham as a place to live our local professional property finders can help you find the perfect property in one of the best villages in England. To learn more about our property finding services and how we might be able to help you please contact us for a no obligation discussion.