It has been named one of the ‘best places to live in the UK’ but locals say the village is ‘impossible’ to live in due to the lack of amenities and high house prices
Residents fortunate enough to call “the UK’s most beautiful village” home have revealed their genuine thoughts about the coveted accolade. Inhabitants from one of Britain’s premier seaside destinations, Runswick Bay, in Yorkshire, assert that the arrival of second homeowners is driving property values through the roof.
Renowned for its stunning vistas and serene atmosphere, the area has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. It earned recognition as one of the ‘finest places to reside in the UK’, owing to its golden shores, playful dolphins and remarkable fossil discoveries.
Nevertheless, residents reveal that this acclaim has brought consequences, reports the Express.
They believe that the calm setting appeals more to holidaymakers and absentee property owners than it does to young, working households. Throughout Britain, numerous communities, including Runswick Bay, are confronting this challenge as second homeowners drive property costs skyward.
Multiple seaside towns are now witnessing homes changing hands for more than £1million and Runswick Bay is no different. Holiday visitors shared their opinions on the village’s designation with YorkshireLive.
Tourists, Graham and Lane, remarked: “It’s a lovely place, but I’m not sure these ‘best places to live’ rankings often consider a lot of the actual practicalities. It’s beautiful, but I can’t imagine raising teenagers or anything here or trying to find a job.”
They added: “You’d have to work remotely or commute somewhere else. There aren’t any shops in the village either and there isn’t a train station close either.”
Runswick Bay has been hailed by Time Out for boasting the finest hidden beach in the UK. The guide said: “Despite its glorious sweep, Runswick Bay is invisible until the last minute when you crest an unassuming hill that leads down to it.
“From this point, surprises and hidden treasures unfold before you; the impossibly sweet village, comprising of 90 cute honey-coloured cottages capped with red tiles.” It continued: “Closer inspection of the beach and bay reveals wooden huts, rock pools, picturesque staircases carved out of the cliffs and at Kettleness impressive fossils dating back 180 million years.”
Yet locals say they’re grappling with the same issues plaguing numerous other beloved coastal destinations. These include absentee cottage owners who capitalise on the tourist trade during peak season.
Runswick boasts merely three pubs, alongside a cafe and tearoom. The nearest shops are either a modest village store in Hinderwell (roughly 25 minutes on foot), or a medium-sized Co-op in Staithes (a seven-minute drive away).
Rhianna from Redcar and Kate from Hinderwell are both employed at the Cliffemount, a hotel situated at top of the village. Rhianna said: “It’s quite nice here,” though noted it’s predominantly tourists rather than residents who frequent the area.
Meanwhile, Kate observed: “We’re always fully booked for rooms – there’s someone in all 18 at the moment. Runswick has always been a popular place – it’s a lovely place to come into, though since I grew up just down the road it doesn’t feel very special to me.”
Tom Rose, the manager of the Royal Hotel in the village, said: “Runswick definitely has a certain charm to it that people fall in love with. Most of the cottage owners don’t live in them but they’re often here throughout the year.
“As soon as a holiday starts we become extremely busy.”