If you're familiar with Bedale, it's likely because you've either passed through on your travels or you're a resident. This market town in North Yorkshire is often overlooked by visitors as they travel past on their way elsewhere. But if you've been searching for a new place to visit that has a friendly high street , charming scenery and a rich history, then Bedale could be worth a shot.
While nearby Masham and Leyburn boast town centres that predate the notion of tourism, they are now primarily oriented towards visitors. In contrast, Bedale functions more as a 'working town', reports Yorkshire Live . Bedale hosts tearooms, restaurants, and gift shops, and among the rows of independent shops and pubs, you'll find a Nisa, a Costa and a cleverly camouflaged Morrisons .
Holiday homes and second residences are not scarce in Bedale, but they haven't yet outpriced the locals. A three-bedroom semi-detached house with front and back gardens is priced around £250,000. A four-bedroom detached house with a double garage costs approximately £400,000.
By North Yorkshire standards, that's affordable. Emma Shevel, a local entrepreneur who alongside her sister Helen runs Silverdale, a charming jewellery shop nestled on North End, spoke of the community's resilience. "The value of the second homes hasn't destroyed the local community," she claimed, a Bedale resident herself.
Bedale is far from just a place for locals - it also rolls out the red carpet for countless tourists each summer with.