Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Best villages/market towns to live in UK - not south

11 replies

LittleMissRum · 29/06/2022 09:34

Hi,

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:
TheMagicDeckchair · 29/06/2022 09:51

I don’t know what the colleges are like, but Malton in North Yorkshire is a foodie market town.

Beverley in East Yorkshire is a beautiful place and quite underrated in my opinion. It’s definitely worth a visit. These areas would buy you a 4 bed detached for your budget.

Helmsley is a gorgeous town but will a teenage DC be happy there? I find it a bit of an older person’s place.

For teenagers, Leeds and York are likely to have the most going on, and colleges. The nicest Leeds suburbs might be over your budget though. I don’t know much about the York property market but I understand it’s pretty pricey.

LittleMissRum · 29/06/2022 10:22

@TheMagicDeckchair thank you for your reply.

Helmsley is actually one of dc favourite places, but then they're not your 'typical' teenager.

I do know what you mean though. Perhaps it's somewhere to keep as a break away.

OP posts:
PeggyGa · 30/06/2022 00:19

Knaresbourgh is lovely, leek as well

MumsnetMafia · 30/06/2022 00:31

Stamford is AMAZING. Lived very nearby when I was growing up. Heaps of amazing coffee/food/buzz and is so, so beautiful!

Soulstirring · 30/06/2022 03:48

Selby has some lovely surrounding villages and good links to Leeds and York for your teens, both rail and bus

Allicando · 30/06/2022 05:04

I live in Shrewsbury and it fits your list. Beautiful surroundings, thriving town, stunning river walks, real sense of community and people are proud to live here. Lots of beautiful properties and fab schools - what's not to like!

FootontheHeartbreak · 30/06/2022 05:04

MumsnetMafia · 30/06/2022 00:31

Stamford is AMAZING. Lived very nearby when I was growing up. Heaps of amazing coffee/food/buzz and is so, so beautiful!

Is that Stamford Bridge? Don’t know that area but sounds intriguing!

Allicando · 30/06/2022 05:06

Oh and Shrewsbury college is fantastic for Art - my Dd has just finished Alevels and Ds going into year 13. It's quite a bohemian place (without sounding like a knob!)

winterfox78 · 30/06/2022 05:09

Stamford , Lincolnshire...it that's the Stamford you are referring to...is really lovely.
Lincolnshire itself is totally underrated.
You could find some lovely properties there. Heaps of villages just big enough..
Uphill Lincoln is especially nice.

custardbear · 30/06/2022 05:53

Not so sure about art college although we have many colleges here but West bridgford in Nottingham is an awesome place to live

NoSquirrels · 30/06/2022 06:07

Ledbury, Herefordshire. Hereford Art College 20 mins away. It’s got everything you list - arty vibe, indie shops, property in that price bracket.

Ludlow, Shropshire. Similar, slightly longer commute to HCA but easy on the train for teens or opposite direction to Shrewsbury.

Crickhowell, Wales. Thriving high street and arty vibe. Welsh Academy of Art is based there!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread