There’s a landmark mini mountain on the doorstep, pies and ice creams of legend, not to mention a very famous son.
On top of that Great Ayton was named one of the UK’s best places to live in the 2022 Sunday Times’ annual checklist of enviable towns and villages to move to.
You find Great Ayton close to the market towns of Stokesley and Guisborough, nestled near the Cleveland Hills.
You only have to set foot in the place to realise the appeal. Roseberry Topping, also known as ’the mini Matterhorn’ is always a backdrop, but more of that later.
You can arrive in one direction by car and find yourself at the riverside with a lot of paddling and duck-feeding potential on a sunny day. There are inviting pubs and an embarrassment of good-looking tearooms and quirky cafes to tempt as you amble the characterful streets. Just follow the main street and it’s easy to wind your way to waterside rambles, farm shops and another green where you’ll commune with that famous son – none other than Captain James Cook.
Learn more about him at one of the main tourist stop-offs, Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum where he was a pupil between 1736 and 1740.
The way to celebrate this famous son might be at another institution, Suggit’s traditional sweet shop where the ice creams are highly rated. As are award-winning Petch’s pies.
Explore
Great Ayton has a railway station that will take you to Whitby for a day out if you’re holidaying in the area - with some smashing North Yorkshire villages on the route too. The station means the village is a popular commuter spot for those working on Teesside.
If you’ve set your sights on a view from the summit of Roseberry Topping, there’s a National Trust Car Park that kicks off the Roseberry Topping and Newton Wood walk which is about two miles. It’s a ‘challenging’ ascent of Cleveland's most famous hill, from the top of which you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Add in the walk to Captain Cook’s Monument and you're looking at about seven miles and the walk starts in Great Ayton itself.
If you’re making a day of it in Great Ayton, start off with a great coffee and fresh-as-they-come bakes at the award-winning Velveteen Rabbit which is a comfy spot with such a warm welcome. This place has gone from strength to strength after starting off from a farmer’s market beginning.
As a 'village', Great Ayton punches above its weight as the sort of place you can while away the hours with an easy stroll or a dog walk if you’re not doing the big hill - as you follow the meandering river though the town. The wealth of independent businesses is what wowed the Sunday Times judges when they were casting their votes and this has feel of a very thriving ‘on the up’ kind of place.
There are good beauty salons if you’re in the mood for a pamper, smart cycle shops – this is definitely rich cycling territory - as well as indie butchers and Fletcher’s Farm shop for honest local produce. Treacle Tin is a good place to stop if you need some interiors inspiration – they are stockists for furniture paint with advice to match – as well gifts and homewares. A relative newcomer to Great Ayton is going great guns in food reputation – Pomegranate Persian Tea Room where you can enjoy authentic sweet and savoury Perisan food throughout the day.
Bag a property
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to homes in Great Ayton – love a period palace or a blissful new build? On the outskirts of the village in Newton under Roseberry there are lovely detached homes, old and new in their own grounds with the glorious Roseberry Topping virtually in their back garden. A swanky new build in this sought-after spot is likely to be £1m plus but if you like a cosy cottage, central Great Ayton is a good bet for reasonably priced traditional terraced stone cottages from the £150,000 mark. A good spot too for spacious Edwardian properties full of character.
For apartment living, Richardson Hall is a conversion of luxury apartments in a former Quaker school building or look to the outskirts of the village for properties built in the 70s onwards with plenty of space for family living.
According to Rightmove, properties around Great Ayton had an overall average price of £265,910 over the last year. The majority of sales around Great Ayton during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £256,819. Detached properties sold for an average of £367,932, with terraced properties fetching £182,071.
Overall, sold prices around Great Ayton over the last year were 10% down on the previous year and 3% down on the 2015 peak of £274,006.
For schools, there are a number of nurseries and primaries in Great Ayton and the nearby Stokesley School is well-rated.
Town Life
Anna Murray, BBC Radio Tees journalist:
'Great Ayton really does have it all, for someone who lives here- not least the rugged walks up to Captain Cooks or around the more hidden nooks and crannies.
But in recent years, the food and drink scene has really taken off....I am pleased to say!
From the traditional cosy pubs like The Royal Oak (top tip- their Sunday dinner-filled Yorkshire puds are THE BEST) to our quirky micropub, The Tannery - a firm favourite thanks to lovely Jo and her team.....and the great selection of wines, gins and regularly-changing ales. We also have The Quarry Stone- a newer addition and great if there's sport on or you fancy a drink in a cosy, but cool, little bar.
You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food- Joplins is an Ayton stalwart famed for its seafood. And then there are the wood-fried pizzas at The Poor House. My favourite is The Velveteen Rabbit. Whether you want homemade cakes, pastries or breads, a glass of wine, a yummy light lunch or a sumptuous Sunday roast, this place is a must. And they even have a secret den downstairs for live events. I can lose hours at 'The Rabbit' as we call it in the village!'
