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Best market towns/villages in the UK - not South

81 replies

LittleMissRum · 29/06/2022 09:42

Hi,

Already have this running in Property, but giving it a go here too.

So we're currently in the east of England, Cambridgeshire way, in a quiet village. It's fine, but I'm not really happy tbh. Can't put my finger on why, it just doesn't feel like home. We were thinking about doing more to the house, but I just don't see the point anymore. It's not the house that doesn't feel like home. It's the area.

Only been here a couple of years, but it's gone up in value by 30%. Saying that, we can't actually move until dc has completed their GCSEs next year, so that could drop by the time we're actually free to move. You never know with the housing market do you?

Anyway, we're all drawn to historic market towns with a buzz about them. Lots of coffee shops, delis, pubs, restaurants and ideally, some art shops. Also would need a good college for dc. One that's particularly known for art.

Two places we absolutely love are Stamford and Helmsley, North Yorkshire. It could be a large village, but with plenty going on. Needs to be a friendly, inclusive area.

Don't want to be too far south, but North Yorkshire would be as far north as we'd go. I know this is a bit vague 😬 but a little bit clueless and just looking for some inspiration and advice.

Top budget would be around the 650k mark, but more comfortable at the 550k mark. Needs to be an area we could afford a detached house with at least 4 bedrooms and a decent size garden.

Thanks very much 🙂

OP posts:
summerlovinvibes · 29/06/2022 16:07

Ummm yeh it has a PE8 postcode, about 20 mins west of Peterborough along the A605 road.

summerlovinvibes · 29/06/2022 16:09

@LittleMissRum TBF it could just be that there aren't any properties depending on your search criteria - it's quite a sought after little place. Not long ago it was listed as one of the top 10 secret gems in the UK.

Best market towns/villages in the UK - not South
Best market towns/villages in the UK - not South
KalvinPhillips23 · 29/06/2022 16:27

Darlington is a lovely Market Town on the border of North Yorkshire.

whippetwoman · 29/06/2022 16:35

Malvern is lovely. I'd absolutely love to live there and the Worcester countryside is beautiful. I was also impressed with Cirencester in Gloucestershire when we visited recently.

However, I agree with the previous poster that said Suffolk. There are some lovely places such as Bury St Edmonds, Woodbridge, Sudbury etc.

I live very near to Warwick which is also nice. I'd personally love to live in Hebden Bridge (in a bit that doesn't flood) and hang out with all the authors there, it's very artsy and has a lovely bookshop, nice coffeeshops etc.

KentishMiss · 29/06/2022 16:35

Thefailinghousewife · 29/06/2022 14:13

We have just moved to Shropshire and it’s beautiful and just what you are looking for!

Welcome! I moved from the SE 9 years ago and Shropshire is the best.

KentishMiss · 29/06/2022 16:38

Juancornetto · 29/06/2022 14:59

What's Ludlow like? I keep perving on Rightmove properties there

Gorgeous, but a lot more expensive than north Shropshire. We discounted it as the town is hilly and DH is an amputee and struggles with slopes. The food shops are fab and it is a lovely town.

peanutbuttertoasty · 29/06/2022 16:43

Skipton or knaresborough?

Twizbe · 29/06/2022 16:44

When I first read this I was going to say St Ives in Cambridgeshire ... but that could be where you are already.

YourLittleSecret · 29/06/2022 16:48

Louth, Caistor or Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.

mummyh2016 · 29/06/2022 16:49

@beguilingeyes the population where I live voted Gavin Williamson in, don't tar us all with the same brush Grin

coffeecupsandfairylights · 29/06/2022 16:52

Ulverston - it's beautiful and close to both the coast and the Lake District itself.

SlingsbyKindaDay · 29/06/2022 16:53

Knaresborough

Hbh17 · 29/06/2022 16:56

Clitheroe
Bakewell
Bury St Edmunds

Adelais · 29/06/2022 17:57

Theres some nice small towns in Derbyshire like
Melbourne, Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock, Belper.

Mrsherdwick · 29/06/2022 19:08

Ludlow
Nantwich
Longridge (Lancs)
Clitheroe
Garstang
Castleton
All lovely

Crikeyalmighty · 29/06/2022 19:52

@LynneBenfield I was going to say Bakewell too or Ashbourne in Derbys or maybe Holmfirth/Henden Bridge or around York - Bingham in Nottinghamshire was always nice too (although I've not been for quite a lot of years ) and easy to Nottingham - then there are some lovely places in the North east- Morpeth, Berwick, Tynemouth etc

StopStartStop · 29/06/2022 19:59

Otley.

LittleMissRum · 29/06/2022 22:29

Thanks again for all these. Loads of food for thought!

OP posts:
Florence4170 · 30/06/2022 09:32

Come and live with us in Quorn! Near Loughborough, Leicester, Nottingham.

Oakham in Rutland?

cormorant5 · 30/06/2022 09:49

We visited Oundle a few years back probably 2016. Not sure that your DCs would be impressed.
Very gloomy place.
Towcester is easy drive from Milton Keynes and Northampton. Fast connections from those places to Euston.

Honeyroar · 30/06/2022 10:00

Why is everyone suggesting around North Yorkshire, when OP said not as far North as that?

OP why not Stamford itself, if you like it? Plenty of properties in your price range. Lincoln might be worth a look too.

Honeyroar · 30/06/2022 10:02

Apologies, re read it and North Yorkshire is fine!

Rebecca75 · 30/06/2022 10:04

Another vote for Shropshire. We live just north of Shrewsbury😍

Crikeyalmighty · 30/06/2022 10:05

When you say not south - is this for practical or financial? as Woodstock, Witney and chipping Norton - all in oxon fit the bill

boobot1 · 30/06/2022 10:11

Remainiac · 29/06/2022 13:33

Knaresborough? Handy for Leeds and Harrogate and York.

Second this