Ilkley has been named as the Best Place to Live in the UK by The Sunday Times. It has topped a list of 70 locations that represent the best of the UK.
Ilkley was praised for its top schools, interesting shops, beautiful scenery and convenient rail links.
Judges of the town were impressed by the sports clubs available and the opportunities that they present for young people.
The comprehensive guide, which includes 70 locations, is released online today.
The Sunday Times’s judges assess a wide range of factors, from schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
They celebrate improving towns, villages or city centres; attractive, well-designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit – which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.
Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire has also been named the best place to live in the North and Northeast of England.
Best places to live in the North East
- Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
- Cawthorne, South Yorkshire
- Great Ayton, Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire
- Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Hovingham, North Yorkshire
- Ilkley, West Yorkshire
- Leeds city centre
- Morpeth, Northumberland
- Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place. For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling. Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people?
“Ten years ago, when we launched the inaugural list, London’s gravitational pull was strong, the WFH revolution had not yet reached our doorstep and high streets were stacked with chains. How times have changed — and how welcome that change is.
“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island.
“We hope there is something to suit everyone.”
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