Property News

North East: Harrogate

When you think of the North East of England, it's tempting to concentrate exclusively on the great old bustling industrial cities like Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland. Certainly, these are vibrant towns with great shopping, excellent amenities and famously friendly locals and they truly merit the affection in which they are held by visitors and residents alike. The reality of this corner of England is much more complex than it seems at first glance, though. As well as the busy urban areas, there is the astonishing natural beauty of Northumberland, the North Pennines and, of course, North Yorkshire. There is a wild coastline punctuated with castles and the ruins of priories which made such a deep and lasting contribution to our island history. Then there are the ancient delights of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely the glorious Norman Durham Cathedral and Hadrian's Wall, which was the northernmost limit of the vast Roman Empire. With such splendour and diversity on the doorstep, it isn't surprising that the North East is growing in popularity for house hunters. While the whole region is attractive and accommodating, though, one location stands out for offering an exceptional quality of life: the charming market town of Harrogate.

The glories of Harrogate

Perhaps the most important point to make about Harrogate is that its denizens are frequently found in studies to be among the happiest in the United Kingdom! It's hard to quantify the advantages that living in so cheery a locale would bestow on its citizens, but there is no doubt that everyday life seems much more agreeable when your neighbours are warm and engaging.

Architecturally, Harrogate is a mixture of splendid old buildings like the much-storied Royal Theatre, Saint Wilfrid's Church and the Royal Pump Room, as well as more modern - but still largely sympathetic - constructions in the shopping districts. There are large green spaces including Valley Gardens and The Stray, where busy people can escape from the stresses and pressures of town life. RHS Harlow Carr Gardens also nestles on the western edge of the town and is among the Royal Horticultural Society's most prized northern assets.

In terms of shopping, there is an enviable mixture of national chain stores like Marks & Spencer and independent food, drink, clothing and book stores, meaning that the needs of most shoppers, whether they be families or young professionals, can be met. The town, of course, is within easy driving distance of Leeds and Bradford where there are even larger selections of shops.

Leisure requirements are met by a wide arrange of cultural amenities like a popular theatre and several museums and galleries. There are also numerous local sports teams such as Harrogate Football Club and the extremely competitive rugby and cricket clubs. So it's unlikely that you would find yourself at loose ends if you lived in the area. The Lake District, Northumberland and even Scotland are also close enough that weekend breaks away from home are convenient and affordable.

There are some superb pubs and restaurants serving everything from Modern British to French to Asian food, usually making good use of the unrivalled local ingredients. Then there is the famous Betty's, an internationally renowned tea room, which offers those delicious savouries and sticky sweet confections that make English tea time such a welcome treat. Naturally, the tea served at Betty's is Yorkshire Tea from those famous purveyors of tea and coffee, Taylor's of Harrogate. Don't forget that Harrogate is a spa town whose waters are as much prized now as they were when our Victorian forebears used to make their annual visits for spa town health cures.

Harrogate is very prosperous and offers its own great employment opportunities in the retail, leisure and professional services sectors. Its proximity to cities such as Leeds and Bradford also means that job hunters can find work farther afield but still within easily commutable distances.

The local authority delivers excellent services and the crime rate is sufficiently low that locals are rated as feeling safer and more secure than residents of nearly all similarly sized communities across Britain. As well as great medical facilities, always important for those of us with families, there are some very well-respected schools in both the state and private sectors. Harrogate Ladies' College, for instance, is usually highly placed in the national educational league tables as are its counterparts, Harrogate Grammar School and Harrogate High School. Having such great academic institutions close by is, of course, a huge boon for parents.

Disadvantages of Harrogate

The key disadvantage of this gorgeous old town is that the average house price is fairly high. For instance, you could expect to to pay around £296,782 for a semi-detached residence and £266,160 for a terraced home. That being said, there are towns and villages close by where house prices are significantly lower and which still allow you to avail yourself of the glories of Harrogate.

Communications are also somewhat varied. There are buses and trains serving the immediate area and such hub cities as Leeds. There is also an international airport within easy driving distance. On the other hand, there is only one train to London each day, meaning that trips to the capital can be something of a headache. There are, in all fairness, plans afoot at Virgin East Coast to expand this unquestionably disappointing service, but anyone making frequent visits to London isn't currently that well served by public transport.

Finally, this part of North Yorkshire is popular with tourists, especially in the summer months. While this is a welcome source of some of the area's wealth and prosperity, not everyone enjoys sharing their home town with tourists. Tolerance of this will very much depend on the individual.

Visit the team at Nethouseprices again soon for the next installment of this series on the residential jewels in Britain's crown, as well as for news and analysis of the property market developments that will affect you and your family.