Harrogate has been hitting the headlines recently as the best place to live in the UK for remote working and we’ve been helping lots of buyers from out of town find their perfect home.
Here’s our insider guide to what makes Harrogate such a great place to live and which are the best areas.
What makes Harrogate such a unique place to live?
Often described as one of the happiest places to live, Harrogate benefits from excellent state and private schools, low crime rates and easy commuting access to Leeds and York. With train stations in the town centre and also within the popular residential areas of Pannal, Oatlands (Hornbeam Park) and Starbeck, plus daily direct trains to London Kings Cross, Harrogate is the perfect location for anyone who needs to travel for work but wants to make their home in beautiful North Yorkshire.
Where are Harrogate’s most expensive streets?
Fulwith Mill Lane has previsouly been named as Yorkshire’s most expensive street in a national report, which found that the county’s most exclusive addresses are concentrated within the Golden Triangle of Harrogate, Wetherby and North Leeds.
In a separate survey, beauty spots like Birstwith, which is well known for its strong sense of community and thriving village store, and the pretty village of Burnt Yates, between Harrogate and Ripon, get a mention. Read more about local villages in our article on the 10 most desirable villages near Harrogate.
Some of the best known premium addresses in Harrogate include the apartments and town houses overlooking The Stray on Beech Grove, Montpellier Hill and York Place which command some of the highest values per square metre in the area.
Which are the best areas to live in Harrogate?
Features and listings can only tell us so much and local experience is a far better indicator of quality, value and desirability. In no particular order, here are the areas we have found to be consistently popular with house buyers looking for property in Harrogate:
Duchy – Within easy walking distance of the town centre and Valley Gardens and characterised by its grand Victorian villas and exclusive detached homes, properties here regularly sell for more than £1m.
The Saints – Between the town centre and Oatlands and close to St Aidan’s C of E High School, this area has a good supply of traditional three bedroom semi-detached homes. Most of the residential streets (including St Winifred’s Road and St Hilda’s Road) are named after saints, giving the area its nickname.
Pannal and Burn Bridge – Surrounded by countryside and with glimpses of the rocky outcrop at Almscliffe Cragg, Pannal and Burn Bridge have a village atmosphere and a station with regular trains to Leeds and York.
Fulwith – Many of the exclusive homes on Fulwith Mill Lane (average house price £1.6m according to the latest data) and the surrounding area were originally built for senior staff of ICI who came to work at the company’s premises on Hornbeam Park. The fabric crimplene was invented at this division of ICI and rumour has it that it was named after the Crimple Beck which runs through the valley below Fulwith.
Valley Drive – Whilst the Duchy area lies to the north of the Valley Gardens, to the south are the Victorian terraces of Valley Drive which command far-reaching views across the park and Pinewoods. Just behind Valley Drive is the vibrant shopping district of Cold Bath Road with its collection of independent stores, cafes and restaurants.
Starbeck – Starbeck regularly wins Britain in Bloom awards for its floral displays and its busy high street and railway station making it a popular residential area where prices have increased significantly in recent years.
Pannal Ash – The Pannal Ash and Rossett Green area is home to three high schools – Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School and Ashville College. There is a good selection of substantial detached and semi-detached homes here, many of which are on large plots or adjoin open countryside.
Beckwithshaw and Harlow Hill – As you climb out of town along Otley Road towards Beckwithshaw, Harlow Hill offers an excellent selection of family homes. On a clear day it’s possible to see the White Horse at Kilburn from here. Further down the road is RHS Harlow Carr which has its own Bettys Tearoom. Beckwithshaw itself is an attractive village with traditional Yorkshire stone cottages, a country pub and its own cricket club.
Kings Road – Travelling east from the town and conference centre along Kings Road is an eclectic mix of large Victorian villas and brick terraced properties and one of the best high streets in Harrogate with a butcher, bakery, greengrocer, fishmonger and many more independent shops.
Cold Bath Road - Known locally as the Notting Hill of Harrogate, the Cold Bath Road area has a fantastic selection of cafes, restaurants, bars and independent shops including a deli and several bakeries. Within easy walking distance of town and the Valley Gardens and with excellent primary schools such as Weston Primary and Rossett Acre on the doorstep, it's a great location for families.
Bilton – Bilton has good primary schools, well maintained cycle paths and, of course, the stunning Nidd Gorge. It also has a plentiful stock of two and three bedroom homes, an annual gala and a strong sense of community.