Affordable alternatives to golden triangle hotspots

The golden triangle commands top prices but there are affordable alternatives. Sharon Dale reports.
This new, four bedroom Hadleigh home on Broughton Road, Malton, is £282,950, www.taylorwimpey.co.ukThis new, four bedroom Hadleigh home on Broughton Road, Malton, is £282,950, www.taylorwimpey.co.uk
This new, four bedroom Hadleigh home on Broughton Road, Malton, is £282,950, www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

Buyers with big aspirations and small budgets are frequently disappointed when they go shopping for property in Yorkshire’s golden triangle.

The triangle’s hotspots, which include north Leeds, Ilkley, Wetherby, Harrogate and York, are expensive locations and so sacrifices often have to be made on square footage, style and address. However, there is another solution for those willing to widen their search area. Here we have picked the best hotspot alternatives:

Can’t afford Ilkley? Try Otley.

The Old Smithy, Copt Hewick, on the edge of Ripon,  £259,950, www.beadnallcopley.co.ukThe Old Smithy, Copt Hewick, on the edge of Ripon,  £259,950, www.beadnallcopley.co.uk
The Old Smithy, Copt Hewick, on the edge of Ripon, £259,950, www.beadnallcopley.co.uk
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Lester Hurst, director of the Ilkley and Otley branches of Hunters estate agency, says: “The average house price in Ilkley is £360,000 compared to £250,000 in Otley.”

The only real sacrifice is the railway station. However, Otley does have excellent road links to Leeds and Harrogate. Like Ilkley, it is surrounded by beautiful countryside and has good schools, including Prince Henry’s Grammar, a comprehensive school. While Ilkley has a Booths supermarket, Otley has a Waitrose and some fantastic “proper pubs”.

Can’t afford Wetherby? Try the neighbouring villages.

Andrew Beadnall, of Beadnall Copley estate agents, says: “There are some great villages close to Wetherby that enjoy great community spirit and wonderful links to the A1, M1 and M62. Church Fenton, Ulleskelf and Fairburn are all seeing a lot of interest at the moment, as buyers can get much more for their money here and they have the added benefit of some excellent village schools. Church Fenton and Ulleskelf have their own railway station connecting to Leeds and York. If you compare Church Fenton to Wetherby, you will see that properties are around 25 per cent cheaper.”

Bierlands Close, Garforth, £179,950, www.manningstainton.co.ukBierlands Close, Garforth, £179,950, www.manningstainton.co.uk
Bierlands Close, Garforth, £179,950, www.manningstainton.co.uk

Can’t afford Harrogate? Try Ripon or Knaresborough

Andrew Beadnall says: “Ripon is a great, bustling city in its own right and has a highly sought-after grammar school. A four-bedroom modern detached family home on a development in Ripon will be around 30 per cent cheaper than a similar property on Harrogate’s highly favoured south side.”

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There is no train station but the A1M to Harrogate and Leeds is on the doorstep. Ripon also has a Booths supermarket, a racecourse and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Can’t afford North Leeds? Try Garforth.

Pegholme Drive, Otley, £220,000, www.hunters.comPegholme Drive, Otley, £220,000, www.hunters.com
Pegholme Drive, Otley, £220,000, www.hunters.com

Garforth is on the east side of the city and Kate Sandilands, of Manning Stainton estate agents, says: “Our average sales price in this area is £207,103 in comparison to our average for Moortown in north Leeds, which is £282,495. Garforth has a bustling high street with an array of shops and the schools are good. Its proximity to the M1 and A1 also provide great links for commuters.” There is also a railway station with trains to Leeds and York.

Can’t afford York? Try Tadcaster or Malton.

Ben Roberts, of Hunters estate agents, says: “Tadcaster is becoming very popular. The main draws are the property prices and Tadcaster Grammar School, which is a comprehensive school with great results. There is no train station but commuters to York often use the bus, which takes 20 minutes.” An even cheaper option for buyers is the pretty market town of Malton, which has a train station with links to York and Leeds. The average house price here is £213,017 compared to £244,717 in York.