We are regularly contacted by buyers from outside of Yorkshire, even outside of the UK, the Yorkshire region is such a wonderful place to live or to invest that we have sold to buyers from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Europe, and we regularly rent property to tenants from Europe and the US. Getting to know the area is one of the most rewarding parts of moving here; there is something in the region to suit everyone, from beautiful countryside to sporting venues and facilities to world-class cultural and historic sites. We’ve listed some highlights here for newcomers to the area, please feel free to call or email us if you want to know more, we love to talk about Yorkshire!
Harrogate – Alexander Gibson Estate Agents’ base, and where most of the team live. Well known for 200 acres of protected parkland around the centre of the town known as The Stray, around which can be found some fabulous stone-built villas and townhouses. The centre of this historic spa town is popular for the world-famous Bettys Tearooms https://www.bettys.co.uk/bettys-harrogate , a wealth of boutique shopping, fine independent restaurants and pubs, and all within a couple of miles of fabulous open countryside in any direction. The exclusive Duchy, Stray, and Fulwith Mill areas house some of the plushest and most expensive homes in the North, but there are less expensive areas that still benefit from outstanding schools, easy access to shopping and amenities, and excellent commuter links. https://www.harrogate.co.uk/
Knaresborough – A few miles to the east of Harrogate, a bustling and historic town centred around the market square, and the ruins of Knaresborough Castle. The River Nidd runs through the town, and there are some beautiful waterfront homes. Many of the older town centre properties have been renovated over the years, creating modern family homes within buildings that are still full of character, but there are also a wide range of newer houses on the outskirts of the town. The centre of town enjoys a thriving social scene, whereas the quieter areas on the outskirts border onto beautiful open countryside. As with Harrogate, commuting is easy by train or road to York, Leeds, the North East, London, and Scotland. Visit www.knaresborough.co.uk for more information.
Ripon – This cathedral city is twelve miles to the north of Harrogate, past the picturesque villages of Markington, Bishop Monkton and Burton Leonard. With the first buildings in the area dating from the 7th century, the city is full of history, and the centre is a maze of cobbled streets and ginnels winding their way through architectural gems. Shopping and business is focused around the large market square, although there is also a supermarket on the edge of the city and a wealth of independent specialist shops and businesses in the neighbouring villages. Housing close to the outstanding Ripon Grammar School or near to the RIver Skell is highly sought-after, and there have also been some very interesting conversions of historic mills and college buildings in recent years into apartments. The nearby Fountains Abbey, Studley Royal https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water... and Lightwater Valley are popular with Ripon residents, and there are endless outdoor activities available in the surrounding countryside. https://www.discoverripon.org/
Nidderdale – To the north and east of Harrogate, and bordering the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. https://www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/ As the title suggests, this area is home to some of the most superb countryside scenery in the UK, including the spectacular Brimham Rocks, and the reservoirs at Gouthwaite, Swinsty, Thruscross and elsewhere in the dale. Nidderdale has only one town, Pateley Bridge, with a thriving main street, secondary school, and numerous pubs and restaurants. The remainder of the dale is dotted with pretty villages and hamlets, each with their own individual character and features. Villages such as Darley, Dacre, and Hampsthwaite are popular with commuters to Leeds, Skipton and Harrogate. Housing in the area ranges from small cottages to barn conversions to country manor houses, and despite the beautiful surroundings, prices are slightly lower in general than in Harrogate.
Lower Wharfedale – South of Harrogate, the River Wharfe winds through the elegant town of Ilkley https://ilkley.org/ and the market town of Otley https://www.otley.co.uk/ on its way towards Leeds and Wetherby. This area is very popular with commuters to Leeds and Bradford, as it blends a slower pace of country life, beautiful scenery, and excellent road and rail links to the city centres. Leeds Bradford International Airport is also close by, offering commuter flights to London and Glasgow in addition to holiday travel. The villages of Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ben Rhydding, and Menston are particularly convenient, and also have good access to schools, shopping and the local community. Outdoor pursuits are a big part of the area’s lifestyle, there are several clubs and societies for cycling, hill walking, climbing, and equestrian sports, and the beauty spots of Otley Chevin and Ilkley Moor are well worth visiting.