1. Large houses and gardens ideal for families. Many of the houses on the estate have large private gardens which are perfect for families of all shapes and sizes.  Many of the houses are late Victorian/early Edwardian and retain lots of character and history. Newer houses tend to have been built to high specification and with conservation area guidelines and restrictions in mind. As a result the Duchy estate feels spacious and less built up than other parts of Harrogate.

2. Safety and security. North Yorkshire as a whole and Harrogate in particular have relatively low levels of crime.

3. Access to parks and green spaces. Living on the Duchy estate means you are within walking distance to open countryside and protected woodland around Birk Crag and the Pinewoods. You can also walk to Valley Gardens which is an immaculately kept park with a large playground and skate park. Harrogate is encircled by The Stray, over 800 acres of protected green space ideal for walking, running, picnics and sports.

 

4. Nearness to the town centre. The Duchy estate is an easy walk to Harrogate town centre, with its range of shops, bars and restaurants. Many of which are independent and unique to Harrogate. Nearby Coldbath Road includes independent bakers, sandwich shops, cafes, pubs and convenience stores. The area around the Pump Rooms and Montpelier is also great for independent clothes shopping, art galleries, pubs and cafes.

5. Schools. The Duchy estate is home to two excellent (as rated by ISI) schools. Brackenfield school is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Harrogate. Harrogate Ladies College includes Highfield preparatory school which includes boys and girls. The senior school is girls only. Homes within the Duchy can fall into the catchment areas for state schools including Western Primary, Saltergate Primary and Harrogate Grammar, all of which are rated as “Outstanding” or “Good” by OFSTED. However catchment areas in Harrogate are notoriously tricky and you should always check before applying.

6. Community. St Wilfrid’s church is the parish church for the Duchy estate, and it holds services on every day except Saturday. St Wilfrid’s is one of the largest parish churches in England and is the only Grade I listed building in Harrogate town. The parish hall at St Wilfrid’s provides a venue for Baby Sensory, Toddler Sense, yoga, pilates, art classes, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers and the Police Cadets. The Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing on Duchy Road offers a range of pilates and yoga classes. There is a David Lloyd gym a short walk from the Duchy estate, and the council-run Hydro which both have excellent facilities. Oakdale Golf Club is part of the estate and is a beautifully kept course with excellent club house. All of these are within walking distance of each other!

7. Care facilities for older people. The Duchy estate includes several “high end” homes and facilities for older people, including the Manor House, Hampden House, Grosvenor House, Southlands Care Home and McCarthy and Stone’s luxury development behind the Swan Hotel. During the lockdown period of 2020 a neighbourhood network of volunteers was formed to help around 30 households on the Duchy who were isolating or shielding at home.

https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/lifestyle/homes-and-gardens/you-dont-have-be-millionaire-live-duchy-estate-it-helps-848765