RESIDENTS of one of the UK’s ‘poshest’ villages have revealed why it’s a hidden gem despite sky-high property prices.
Locals of Shadwell, Yorkshire, say that there is something that sets their little community head and shoulders above others in the area, even though the cost of living is high.
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The special thing about Shadwell, for those who live there, is that it provides the ‘best of both worlds’.
It manages to be a quaint rural village, while still providing excellent access to a major city, in the form of Leeds, just about six miles away.
Living there, you can enjoy the bird song and watch horses grazing as you stroll through the fields and farms, knowing you are just 20 minutes drive from the biggest shopping and social centre in the county.
The little village, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086, also boasts its own post office, library and pub, as well as one of Britain’s oldest fish and chip shops.
The Village Fish Shop has been feeding hungry locals since 1911 and sits in a cottage that dates back to the 1630s.
One resident, Philip, 76, told Yorkshire Live: “It’s very friendly; we talk to everyone.”
Fellow village Alison McKay added that it’s the “best place to live”, while her son Harry said: “It’s a posh Royston Vasey [the village from the BBC comedy League of Gentlemen].
“It’s a very tight-knit community; they all look out for each other.”
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However, he did complain that the bus service is “abysmal”.
Meanwhile, Post Office worker Tracey Linley, 53, said: “It’s nice. Nice people. Friendly people.
“We feel like we are in the country; I still consider it rural. We have farms and plenty of walks.”
Tracey agreed, though, that house prices in the area were high, pointing to the fact that one cottage in the village sold for £400,000 last year.
Property site Rightmove showed that an average three-bedroom semi with a garden costs about the same.
There are two-bedroom flats for less than £200,000 but they are usually snapped up pretty quickly after going on the market.
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