Yorkshire offers an unmatched combination of modern cityscapes, rich history, and sprawling scenery. Thus, it’s a great option for those wishing to relocate. If you’re planning a move to the county, there are several small towns worth considering. Let’s take a look at five of the best of them.
Harrogate
This Victorian spa town sits in the county’s north. It’s been mentioned seven times in The Times’ ‘Best Places to Live’ list, most recently in 2022.
During the Victorian and Georgian ages, it was made famous by a mineral water supply that still exists today – and you’ll find evidence of this history throughout the town. You can easily spend a seven-figure sum in some parts of town, but the quality of local food and schooling make it well worth considering.
Hornsea
A little further from the beaten track, Hornsea offers everything you might expect from a classic seaside resort. There’s a Blue Flag beach, an amazing promenade, and a fascinating history of pottery production. You might also make regular fishing and sailing trips to the nearby freshwater lake, which is the largest in the county. With plenty of new build homes in Hornsea, you will find that the variety of housing makes a move here that much more practicable.
Hebden Bridge
This little town, which sits in the middle of the Pennines, has been named ‘one of the world’s funkiest towns’ by British Airways’ ‘High Life’ magazine. It’s easy to see why it might be described in this way: it’s a paradise for artists and other creatives. Empty of big-name chain stores, the high street is instead a home for incredible little boutique shops and galleries.
Holmfirth
Take a stroll around Holmfirth and you might get a nagging sense of familiarity. The town has appeared on television screens, as the setting for Last of the Summer Wine. But the history of Holmfirth stretches back much further. It successfully transitioned from a farming village to a centre of textiles during the Industrial Revolution, and evidence of the shift can be found in the local architecture and museums. There’s also a thriving rental market, offering a wide variety of properties.
Whitby
This coastal town is most famous as a setting in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It’s a little bit difficult to reach – but if you’re looking for a peaceful seaside existence, this might be a virtue. Property here is affordable, and you can easily spend years exploring a maze of cobbled streets, and still find yourself occasionally surprised by them. There are plenty of excellent little cafes and restaurants to enjoy. Tourism tends to boom during the summer, and so this is also a great place to run an Airbnb rental.