Harrogate district town named as one of best places to live by The Sunday Times

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The parish of Masham has been named by the newspaper as one of the best places to live in the North and the North East.

The Sunday Times’s expert judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.

They look for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit - which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.

The judges described Masham as “a picturesque market town in its own right that offers the best of both worlds. The extraordinary landscape of the Yorkshire Dales is on the doorstep and Ripon, with its top selective school and Curzon cinema, is just a short drive away.” Their favourite things here included the market, Black Sheep Brewery and Johnny Baghdad’s, a funky bright-yellow café on the square.

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Other North Yorkshire locations including Easingwold and York also made the list.

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “This guide has never been so important. The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings. With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live.

“Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience. It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages. Instead it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need within walking distance and small enough for everyone to feel connected.

Ilkley was crowned regional winner in the category.

A detailed breakdown of house prices has been supplied by data specialists TwentyCi and information on internet speeds has been supplied by Thinkbroadband.com, the UK’s leading independent guide to broadband.

The average sale price in Masham came in at £350,000, with the average rental costing £650 pcm.

To see the full guide, visit: www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live