Residents fortunate enough to call “the UK’s most beautiful village” home have revealed their genuine thoughts about the coveted accolade. Locals from one of Britain’s top coastal towns, Runswick Bay, in Yorkshire, claim that the influx of second homeowners is causing house prices to surge.
It earned recognition as one of the ‘finest places to live in the UK’, owing to its golden shores, playful dolphins and remarkable fossil discoveries. Nevertheless, residents say that this acclaim has brought consequences. They believe that the tranquil setting appeals more to holidaymakers and absentee property owners than it does to young, working households.
Throughout Britain, numerous communities, including Runswick Bay, are grappling with this challenge as second homeowners send property costs soaring. Multiple seaside settlements are now witnessing homes selling for more than £1million and Runswick Bay proves no different.
TeesideLive spoke to two tourists, Graham and Lane, about the town. Lane said: “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 across the UK. “Despite its glorious sweep, Runswick Bay is invisible until the last minute when you crest an unassuming hill that leads down to it,” said the publication.
“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 added: “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.”
Nevertheless, locals reveal they encounter the same difficulties as other beloved coastal destinations. These include absent property owners who profit during peak holiday periods.
Runswick boasts merely three pubs, alongside a cafe and tearoom. The nearest retail outlets are a modest village shop in Hinderwell (approximately 25 minutes on foot), or a medium-sized Co-op in Staithes (a seven-minute journey by car).
Rhianna from Redcar and Kate from Hinderwell are both employed at the Cliffemount, a hotel positioned at the top of the village. Rhianna said: “It’s quite nice here,” whilst noting that holidaymakers rather than residents predominantly frequent the area.
Kate added: “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.”