A new list of the best places to live in Britain is released today – and North Yorkshire is well represented.
Two towns, one area and one city in the county make the cut.
The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 is published today (Friday) and aims to showcase the best of Britain.
The judges made their choice after assessing factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds and mobile signal to amenities, as well as access to high-quality green spaces and the health of the high street.
Norwich is named as the overall winner. But what of our local representatives?
Skipton
Skipton has been named the best place to live in the north and northeast of England in the guide. It’s number three in the whole list.
What the judges say: “Skipton is properly grounded and strongly connected to the spectacular surrounding landscape.
“It’s a place where traditional businesses thrive and a haven for families drawn by the excellent schools and affordable property prices.
“The volunteering culture is strong – the local Rotary Club’s annual Eco Day raises funds for wildlife and nature charities, bringing together groups such as Share Skipton, which operates a Library of Things that allows members to borrow anything from a disco ball to a leaf blower and also holds monthly repair cafés.”
Where to live: “Gargrave Road, Grassington Road, Raikes Avenue and Raikes Road are family favourites; they’re all within walking distance to the town centre. Favoured villages include Gargrave and Rylstone.”
Average house price: £342,600
York
What the judges say: “This beautiful, beguiling place, synonymous with so much of Britain’s history, is always looking to the future. It’s the UK’s first gigabit city, the country’s only Unesco City of Media Arts and was last year ranked the top city, excluding London, for quality of life in the Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index.”
Where to live: “Bootham has elegant Georgian and Victorian houses with six-figure price tags, while Bishopthorpe has a cosmopolitan feel, buzzy shops and Victorian terraces. Haxby, four miles north, is one spot to watch; it was confirmed last year that funding would be made available for a new railway station.”
Average house price: £367,700
Howardian Hills
What the judges say: “If you’re keen on country living with a sprinkling of Michelin-starred restaurants and direct trains to London, you’ll be right at home in the Howardian Hills. It’s smart, sophisticated but never showy. Your Land Rover Discovery will be just dirty enough for you and your fox-red labrador, no doubt called Florence or Fred.”
Where to live: “Some say the closer to Castle Howard, the greater the cachet — places like Bulmer, Welburn and Terrington. However, any of the former estate villages, such as Hovingham, are covetable, but cottages can be on the cramped side of cute. Farmhouses are upwards of £700,000.”
Average house price: £522,100
Saltburn-by-the-sea
What the judges say: “This seaside town with fresh air and heritage in (buckets and) spades offers a bracing surf and turf lifestyle. Towering clifftops are dotted with dog-walkers, waves crash against the most northerly Victorian pier in England, and a water-balanced lift transports day-trippers to the beach. Unlike its more southerly neighbours, Whitby (plagued by second homes) and Scarborough (still up and coming), Saltburn has proper northern soul.”
Where to live: “Running alongside the Cleveland Way, and close to Saltburn Valley Country Park, Marske Mill Lane, Victoria Terrace and Victoria Road form Saltburn’s golden triangle’.”
Average house price: £354,300
