Potto: The Times names Yorkshire village with population of 300 and just one restaurant as one of Britain's coolest places to live

Potto, in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire near Stokesley and Yarm, was a surprising inclusion in the article alongside trendy urban neighbourhoods and described as an option for ‘those wanting to go really off-grid’.

Writers recommended it for ‘burnt-out city folk’ due to its proximity to the North York Moors National Park and Cleveland Hills. There is only one restaurant for miles – the well-regarded Tomahawk Steakhouse, which was formerly the Dog & Gun pub – but no shop and the primary school closed when pupil numbers fell to just 14.

There is a village hall that was gifted by Victorian shipbuilding and steelmaking magnate Joseph Richardson, who lived at Potto Hall, built in 1850 and now returned to residential use after a period as a hotel, restaurant and wedding venue.

The village had a railway station on a small branch line to Middlesbrough, but it closed in 1954. The village’s unusual name is perhaps best known due to local haulage company Prestons of Potto, known for their brightly coloured lorries. Founded in 1936 and still in the same family today, their first haulage contract was awarded during the diesel shortages caused by the 1950s Suez Crisis, when they used a steam traction engine for delivering bricks from Darlington to Ampleforth. There are now four bases across the country, but Potto remains an important depot.

In the 1950s, the Dog & Gun’s landlord became notorious for his habit of checking on customers from his window before deciding to let them in if they looked ‘respectable’ – giving the inn the nickname ‘The Pub That Never Opens’.

The only other Yorkshire neighbourhood on The Times’ list was Kelham Island in Sheffield – praised for its breweries, bars, independent markets and restaurants including Michelin-approved Joro. Recording studio and gig venue Yellow Arch has links to Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and the Arctic Monkeys, who have all rehearsed there.