For three consecutive years – in 2013, 2014, and 2015 – Harrogate was crowned ‘Happiest Place to Live in Britain’ in an annual poll administered by property website Rightmove, with participants citing living costs, community, facilities, contentment, safety, and town pride as reasons for their love of the place. In the same poll in 2019, Harrogate remained a frontrunner – taking second place nationally, while retaining the top spot within the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
Part of the reason for such contentment is the connectivity of the town – both in terms of community, and transport. Harrogate is home to the leading arts festival in the north of England – Harrogate International Festivals – which includes writing, literature, music and comedy events throughout the year. It is also home to the Great Yorkshire Showground which hosts many events throughout the year including the famous Great Yorkshire Show. Harrogate is also renowned for its ‘Britain in Bloom’ entries, and has a thriving grassroots sports scene, including football, cricket, hockey, water polo, rock climbing, Rugby Union, athletics, and even Ultimate Frisbee.
This connection to sport is reflected in the status of Academy based Harrogate High School as a specialist Sports College. This popular, co-educational state school leads educational provision for the town, including the independent institutions of Harrogate Ladies’ College and Ashville College, and state institutions such as St John Fisher Catholic High School and the Rossett School.
Harrogate is well served by railway connections through no less than four stations – connecting the town to Leeds, Knaresborough, York, and London’s Kings Cross. Buses, meanwhile, provide a comprehensive transport service throughout the town and surrounding areas, with electric buses operating within the town limits as part of the government Low Emission Bus Scheme. Connections to Leeds Bradford International Airport and Manchester Airport can also be made by bus and train from Harrogate.
All in all making Harrogate a great place to live, work and play! Call the 1st Mortgage Services Harrogate team to review your existing mortgage or find a brand-new great deal for your Harrogate home. Tel 01423 740885.
