Favourite town in Yorkshire?

[RafaelAndJane]

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??

@Freddiemercurysjeans Harrogate is accessible for Manchester? Right next to the A1!

York is also beautiful!!!

I'm from Harrogate and can advise for anywhere around here. Knaresborough is sat directly next to the A1 motorway and is a stunning town also. Has a market once a week. Third pic

likedolphins agree with Beverley, grew up near there. Also agree with West Yorks weather. I live there now and each village/town seems to have its own micro climate. Dress for leaving the house and it's a completely different season if you drive 4 miles! I'm acclimitised (sp) now though and just tell people that that's why the hills are so green

Your not going to get a house in Wetherby for £170k! Plus it's not an hour from Manchester! Try something near Huddersfield- lots of lovely villages near there with cheaper house prices.

Hebden Bridge!

Hebden Bridge!!
I've lived here all my life and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. There's always something going on in the summer so great for tourists (and locals).
Great transport links and it's such a beautiful little town full of lovely independent shops.

What's your issue with Penistone Verticality?

Tapas, off topic but my school had a cottage in the woods at Penistone, no water or electricity and it was a mile down a track. We went every year in secondary school for a week, was only an hour or so on a smelly bus.

Bet its worth a fortune now

I'm trying to think where this could be. Was this for Penistone Grammar School?

No a North Yorkshire GS, from 1979 to 1984 - I cant remember where it was either now but it was a fab adventure! In the days before H&S.

I'm so sorry I haven't been back to this thread- I wasn't getting my usual notifications from MN!

Anyway thank you all for your suggestions - I'm looking into all of them.

Beverley.

@Freddiemercurysjeans Harrogate is accessible for Manchester? Right next to the A1!

You must live in another Harrogate. It is 9 miles and takes at least 27 minutes to get to the A1 South in the morning and up to an hour.

It is typically 2-2.5 hours to Manchester in the morning- can be as little as 1.5 (rarely) or up to 7 hours (longest I can recall).

In reality you are going to struggle to buy anything at all (and certainly not suitable for house exchange) for £170K in most of the places listed.