These 15 areas boast stunning scenery, quality local shops, restaurants businesses and good transport links. They all have plenty of green space and schools in the nearby area, making them perfect for families too. Here are 15 small villages within a commutable distance to Leeds:
7. Tadcaster
The market town of Tadcaster is perfect for families who want a village life but with easy commuter links to Leeds and York. It is well known for the Grade-II listed eleven-arch Tadcaster viaduct above the Wharf Bridge, the Tadcaster Bridge which dates back to around 1700, and the Tadcaster Mere, a site of special scientific interest. The late 15th century building 'The Ark' is believed to be the meeting place of the Pilgrim Fathers where they planned their voyage to America. It takes 28 minutes to drive from Tadcaster to Leeds city centre. The 843 Coastliner bus takes just under an hour. Photo: James Hardisty
8. Holmfirth
The village of Holmfirth may be known for being the filming location for the BBC's Last of the Summer Wine but it is also a great place to live. Just six miles south of Huddersfield, the town mainly consists of stone-built cottages built into the Pennine hills. The Peak District National Park is four miles south of the town. It takes approximately one hour and 17 minutes to travel to Leeds city centre via public transport and involves changing at Huddersfield. It is a 41 minute drive along the M1 to Leeds. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
9. Saltaire
The village of Saltaire is bursting with history. It was built by Sir Titus Salt in 1851 as a Victorian model village which surrounded the Salt's Mill textile mill.The Grade II listed building is now a thriving art gallery, with shops and a delicious cafe. The UNESCO World Heritage Site sits on the River Aire and Leeds and Liverpool canal and has great independent shops, pubs and restaurants. It takes 21 minutes on a direct train to get to Leeds Station and 38 minutes to drive via Bradford. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
10. Haworth
Haworth - the home of the Brontë sisters. The thriving village is popular with tourists due to its fascinating literary history, beautiful moors, the heritage Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the annual 1940s weekend. However it is also a great place to live. Public transport commuters can get to Leeds via Keighley, changing there to get on a direct train to Leeds Station. It takes around one hour 15 minutes. Drivers can go through Bradford to Leeds and it takes around 45 minutes. Photo: Marisa Cahil
11. Ilkley
The spa town of Ilkley is popular with walkers due to the Ilkley Moor, subject of the well known Yorkshire tune 'On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at'. It is also a great place for young professionals and families to live due to its great commuter links. From Ilkley railway station, it takes about 31 minutes to get to Leeds city centre and about 35 to get to Bradford Forster Square. It takes about 40 minutes to drive to the centre of Leeds.
12. Wetherby
The popular market town of Wetherby has been named as one of the best places to live in northern England - and for good reason. The quaint town, which sits on the River Wharfe, is in the Leeds metropolitan borough but is very close to the North Yorkshire border. It has a thriving town centre and serves as the main shopping and entertainment district for the surrounding villages. It takes between 30 and 40 minutes to drive into Leeds city centre. It takes between 50 and one hr 10 minutes on the bus.