THE Sunday Times Best Places to Live has named locations across the UK including in the North East and North Yorkshire, such as Great Ayton and Harrogate.

Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire came out on top in the list and the canalside mill village boasts countryside and connectivity as well as a community full of independence and imagination, according to judges.

The comprehensive guide, which includes 70 locations, is released online today.

The Sunday Times’s judges assess a wide range of factors, from schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street. 

They celebrate improving towns, villages or city centres; attractive, well-designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit – which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.

Harrogate was praised for its parks and schools as well as the shops, cafés and restaurants in the town centre.

The Northern Echo: Harrogate (Google Street View)Harrogate (Google Street View)

Judges noted that Hovingham has plenty of activities to get involved in at the village hall while they praised Great Ayton's high street.

Best places to live in the region named

Here’s the full list of best places to live in the North East and North Yorkshire, in alphabetical order.

  • Great Ayton, Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire 
  • Harrogate, North Yorkshire 
  • Hovingham, North Yorkshire  
  • Morpeth, Northumberland 
  • Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear 

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor, said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place. For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling. Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people?

“Ten years ago, when we launched the inaugural list, London’s gravitational pull was strong, the WFH revolution had not yet reached our doorstep and high streets were stacked with chains. How times have changed — and how welcome that change is.  

“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island. 

“We hope there is something to suit everyone.” 

 

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