On the green - Harrogate properties in the heart of the community

A village green is simply a common area of land and was originally used as shared grassland for grazing, often with a pond for watering cattle and other livestock.

Some towns and villages have lost their greens to urban development over the years, but plenty of villages in our area still have them. There are fine examples in North Stainley and Grewelthorpe, which even has a “ducks crossing” sign to protect its feathered residents from speeding drivers.

Greens date from the Middle Ages and their traditional uses often reflect a way of life that has all but disappeared.

As an open space in the middle of the village, the green was often used for community events, such as fairs, market trading, celebrations and even archery practice, which was technically compulsory for men under the age of 40 right up until the 19th century.

It was also used for punishments, and numerous ancient greens still have their stocks (wrists and ankles) or pillory (head and wrists), although nowadays these tend to provide visitors with photo opportunities rather than the chance to pelt wrongdoers with rotten vegetables.

Several villages in our area - such as Aldborough, Nun Monkton and Burton Leonard, which has no fewer than three greens - still have their maypoles, and local schoolchildren dance round them every spring.

A house on the green comes with all this cultural legacy included in the price, but in practical terms, it’s still worth it, simply for the convenience of being central, and of course the wonderful view.

There are not many properties currently for sale overlooking village greens, but the following three are some of the few that are - so if you’re interested, you’d better move fast!

At Scriven, on the northern edge of Knaresborough, Pear Tree Cottage is a Grade II listed detached property built in the late 17th century and retains much of its original character, including exposed beams, window seats and feature fireplaces. It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large loft which could be converted, dining kitchen, utility room, pantry, two reception rooms and an integral double garage with storage space.

Outside, there’s a split-level terraced patio to the rear, and the house is just a short walk away from Jacob Smith Park.

Just up the road, Jasmine Cottage (with the grey door in the photo) is a semi-detached property in the heart of Staveley. It has three bedrooms, bathroom, dining kitchen, utility room, hallway, sitting room and study. The ground floor also features an integral garage which has been converted into a study, but which could revert to its original purpose if required. Outside, there is off-street parking on the drive, and a garden to the rear with paved seating area, brick-built storage shed, lawn and garden store.

Finally, 9 Green Lane is a semi-detached property just off the beautiful village green in Coneythorpe, just a few miles east of Knaresborough. It has been extended in recent years and now has a large open-plan living kitchen, as well as a utility room, hall and sitting room on the ground floor. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms - one of them in the converted attic and one currently used as a study - plus a house bathroom. To the rear there is a spacious stone-flagged patio garden with inbuil