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Original poster

Favourite town in Yorkshire?

140 replies

RafaelAndJane · 29/07/2019 18:08

Okay, blatantly stolen this thread idea from the best village in Yorkshire thread. However, I'm fantasizing about my new (single) life and I'd really like recommendations.

My ideal wish list would be:

A lovely town with plenty of shops and pubs
Very touristy (because I'd like to house swap for holidays)

Ideally within an hour's drive of Manchester
Good rail links or connections to places like Leeds, Manchester, York, etc.
Lots of pretty options for dog walks
Friendly and welcoming community
A WI and/or options for groups like book clubs, classes, etc.
Dog friendly pubs.

I'm 48, (will be) single, no children, one dog. I freelance so I'll need good broadband.

I only need a teeny tiny 1 bedroom place, but it needs to be picturesque so it's appealing to house swappers going on holiday. Budget £170k.

Help me feed my fantasy please! Does such an oasis exist?? Grin

OP posts:
SusieSusieSoo · 30/07/2019 08:05

Just re trains Leeds to Manchester nobody has ever got to Manchester from Leeds in 44 minutes ever!! 😖😖

Original poster
RafaelAndJane · 30/07/2019 08:33

Thanks so much everyone. I had a lovely evening last night googling all your recommendations and looking at flats and houses. I think I'll book into a few airbnb places and do a mini tour to have a look round.

To the PP who suggested places outside of Yorkshire - yes definitely, I'm open to anywhere really. I'd jyst like to be within an hour or so of Manchester and I'd like it to be a place that tourists go.

Thanks everyone. You cheered me up.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 30/07/2019 08:43

There was a lady on here earlier this year with a very similar question
She posted again recently- she has moved to Marsden and from what I gather she was very happy

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 30/07/2019 09:29

Most of the places mentioned are really nice (Doncaster though? Hmm). If you want to do lots of house swapping that would probably make a difference as to how attractive an area you want to be in.

So for e.g. I would say Hebden Bridge is probably more of a holiday destination for people than Saltaire. If you go up closer to the Dales or Peak District it is also likely to be more desirable. (And even there, somewhere like Settle would potentially be more popular than Skipton).

JockTamsonsBairns · 30/07/2019 10:10

It sounds like there's no movement for you on the 'hour from Manchester'? That's going to discard all of North Yorkshire, which is possibly the most marketable in terms of a holiday home.

Original poster
RafaelAndJane · 30/07/2019 10:31

It sounds like there's no movement for you on the 'hour from Manchester'? That's going to discard all of North Yorkshire, which is possibly the most marketable in terms of a holiday home.

Hmmm the problem I have is fear of the unknown and making huge changes all at once. My family, friends, book club, etc ate in Manchester. I've lived here all my life. And part of me is itching for something different, and the other part is clinging to what I know. I'll be on my own, having spent 20 years in a marriage. I know it's a bit pathetic, but I felt comfortable with the one hour away thing. But truthfully, I freelance, it will be just me and a dog, so in theory I could go anywhere.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 30/07/2019 10:40

I wouldn't worry about discounting North Yorkshire, there's plenty of suitable places in the Peak District (Hope, Edale or Hathersage) and south pennines (Saddleworth, Uppermill, Hebden Bridge, Marsden).

The Peak District places especially are very touristy so it should be easy to arrange a house swap and the south pennines are also good for walking/outdoors types.

Peak District villages on a direct train between Manchester and Sheffield, so while these places are more large villages than towns, big cities are easily accessible for anything else you could want.

BarbaraofSeville · 30/07/2019 10:42

If you're in Manchester, I'd have a day trip out to both the locations that I mentioned in my last post.

Have a wander around, look at the houses in and around the villages, have a pub lunch, look in estate agent's windows, or for For Sale signs and look online, and see how you feel about the different places.

You could always see if it's possible to rent somewhere for a few months to see if you like it, without fully committing. Would make buying simpler as well if you're not in a chain.

Original poster
RafaelAndJane · 30/07/2019 10:49

Thanks Barbara. That's a good idea and I'll definitely do that. I'm also starting to think about renting for a bit first as well.

OP posts:
MarthasGinYard · 30/07/2019 11:05

I think your plans sound exciting Op

Keep us posted

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 30/07/2019 11:31

I think the problem with the Hope Valley is property availability. The villages are smaller and pricier than the south pennines. Just checked rightmove and the only property under 200k at the moment is in Stoney Middleton, which I don't think is quite the sort of thing OP is after location wise.

LeithWalk · 30/07/2019 14:32

Mmm, someone said Skipton as a 'run down' air...I think I agree. I definitely don't think Richmond either. Drove there for a Sunday stroll and coffee - just not my thing. Found the cafes ( except the one at the station) to be outdated and not the 'cafe culture' that is in Hebden, Saltaire, Ripon and other places.

Sounds exciting. I made a big change at the end of my marriage and have never regretted it!

JacquesHammer · 30/07/2019 14:45

Mmm, someone said Skipton as a 'run down' air...I think I agree. I definitely don't think Richmond either. Drove there for a Sunday stroll and coffee - just not my thing. Found the cafes ( except the one at the station) to be outdated and not the 'cafe culture' that is in Hebden, Saltaire, Ripon and other places

I find this interesting, as a regular visitor to both the only cafe I bother to go to now in Saltaire is Salts Diner as the others are either poor service, run down or closing.

Conversely a number of new shops and cafes have popped up in Skipton recently and two of the independents are expanding.

Sagradafamiliar · 30/07/2019 14:52

Whats you can have your Hmmback, you clearly missed the humour of my post.

Ah, it's a shame to see Skipton being described as being run down or having an air of decay. I like the place but many of the other places mentioned here fit the bill, OP. There are so many options. Enjoy your homework!

JockTamsonsBairns · 30/07/2019 15:20

That's fair enough OP, lots of valid reasons for staying close to Manchester. I admit to being totally unfamiliar with the Peak District, it sounds like you'll find the right place for you there. Good luck and enjoy your new adventure!

Peregrina · 30/07/2019 15:36

Macclesfield or Congleton, both in Cheshire and on main line into Manchester. I think the next stop after Macclesfield is Stockport, which for practical purposes is the railway station for south Manchester. Then you are just outside the southern edge of the Peak District, but parts which might be a little quieter because people don't realise that the Peak District extends into Cheshire.

verticality · 30/07/2019 15:39

FUCK NO to Penistone. Do NOT move there, it is a world of weird. Trust me, I still have the scars from clawing my way out of that town.

Holmfirth is only OK. Saltaire is much better, Hebden Bridge also nice if you want a bit of an alternative vivbe.

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 30/07/2019 16:42

Whats you can have your hmmback, you clearly missed the humour of my post.

I'm not sure what's funny about taking the piss out of a relatively deprived town, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

Asmoto · 30/07/2019 16:50

Skipton has a good street market. It's also got an Oxfam Bookshop which is always a plus. I agree with a pp that Skipton is quite up-and-coming.

Santasballsack · 30/07/2019 17:14

I work in skipton, live in baildon and am from saltaire. Highly recommend all 3.

JimmyPesto · 30/07/2019 17:22

@JacquesHammer seriously? Have you been to Tambourine, Nordish, Dandelion cafe or tried the coffee from Giddy Arts?

JacquesHammer · 30/07/2019 17:38

Have you been to Tambourine, Nordish, Dandelion cafe or tried the coffee from Giddy Arts?

Three out of the four. A range of opinions from overpriced, noisy, poor service, incorrect orders etc. One of them (and I’m not going to say which because my bad experience shouldn’t put other off) was immensely rude because the person I was waiting for was 15 minutes late due to a train issue and I didn’t want to order until they came.

It’s just not worth my time any more - I’ll get the train and call at Salts Diner - in fact I often have meetings there.

Otherwise I go elsewhere.

JacquesHammer · 30/07/2019 17:40

I really did love Saltaire, I guess it must be 10 - 15 years back I did all my errands there - shopping, hairdresser etc. It’s just changed for the poorer IMO. Certainly doesn’t have the vibe it did in the early 2000s to 2010ish.

JimmyPesto · 30/07/2019 18:00

That's fair enough. I live here and frequent them all regularly and haven't ever had any issues. There's an indie food fair on at Caroline Street Social club on August bank holiday which you should come along to @JacquesHammer Smile

JacquesHammer · 30/07/2019 18:03

There's an indie food fair on at Caroline Street Social club on August bank holiday which you should come along to

That sounds really good Smile I might give it a whirl! I enjoy the Arts Trail when it’s on too.