Helen Hogben is an employment barrister at Trinity Chambers, she reveals the best way to spend 24 hours in the market town.
MORNING
We love walking and have two crazy but fabulous dogs, Remus and Sirius whose playground is the riverside at Yarm. From our house we can head to riverside paths and saunter into town – which we love to do really early in the morning. If we’re feeling energetic and it’s a bright sunny day, we’ll walk part of The Teesdale Way which is signposted from The Blue Bell pub by the road bridge into Yarm. The route follows the river Tees and downstream is joined by the River Leven. The path crosses a bridge by Eaglescliffe Golf Course. From here you can follow the route to Preston Park – a sociable space popular with dogwalkers. That said, if it’s a lazy kind of day we might pootle down to the high street with the dogs and just enjoy brunch and people-watching at one of Yarm's lovely delis or coffee shops like Borrelli's where there is always a warm welcome (and free sausages for the pooches)!
AFTERNOON
It might be time for a catch-up with pals for lunch – coffee and a cake perhaps before some retail therapy. The wealth of independent stores in Yarm makes it a friendly place to shop – it is nice to be able to support small businesses and you can always find well-chosen gifts – from flowers to wine, clothes, nice cards – everything from garden furniture to a posh hi-fi! It is one of those high streets where you’ll always be able to dash for a last-minute gift and find what you need. I’m a fan of Attitudes for clothes and jewellery and of the butcher and farm shop, Hutchinson Hobbs for brilliant meat (there’s also a driving range and pizza place on site!). Yarm has its own fishmonger too and the new deli, Another Drop, upstairs at Strickland and Holt is good for cheese and foodie treats.
EVENING
Our family likes vegan and vegetarian food so a favourite destination is The Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe which is always popular and has a good reputation. Family occasions in Yarm usually lead us to Muse bistro for a great atmosphere and reliably good food. It works for breakfast or brunch too! A definite favourite for gatherings with girlfriends tends to be Fourteen Drops wine bar. We’ve learned a lot about wine here over the years - you can always try something new, advised by people who know about wine and can tempt you to try something different. A female-friendly and relaxed place to spend time, there’s always chat, cheese and good company!
Fancy a move to Yarm?
The market town is made up of historic homes, newer estates and neighbouring sought-after villages and hamlets which have been a go-to for the footballer set based at Middlesbrough Football Club. In Aislaby, Crathorne and Egglescliffe Village you will find top-price properties tipping the £1m mark. Other favoured addresses are Tees Bank Avenue in Eaglescliffe with river-facing properties, as well as Valley Drive by the River Tees. The town is also close to Teesside Airport so popular for those who commute to the urban centre of Teesside and the area’s traditional industrial connections to Aberdeen and Scandinavia. Properties in Yarm had an overall average price of £278,196 over the last year. The majority of sales in Yarm during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £322,483. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £215,000, with terraced properties fetching £248,704. Overall, sold prices in Yarm over the last year were 6% up on the previous year and 3% up on the 2019 peak of £269,971. The private Yarm School with its arts venue - and well-rated comprehensive schools - add to the appeal of the town.
SENSE OF PLACE
Yarm is a great place to see from the sky because it lies in a meander on the River Tees. Historically in the North Riding of Yorkshire, the town is home to two bridges over the river which give great vantage points – one a road bridge and the other a railway bridge which offers a bird’s eye view of the high street and river. Yarm station has direct trains to Northallerton, Thirsk and York (York a 40-minute journey). You can take the Grand Central train direct from Kings Cross to nearby Eaglescliffe station, which is about a mile from Yarm High Street. After a period of restoration, the town hall will reopen as a heritage visitor centre in spring.
It’s easy to while away a day in Yarm. There high street is full of independent businesses, good eating places and gentle walks. As this is the month of love – maybe a good time to trot to True Lovers’ Walk? This riverside path which has recently been restored by dedicated volunteers follows the river and is a gentle diversion from the high street – whether you're getting your steps in or fancy a smooch. In spring and summer the riverside opens up for watersport festivals and boat trips - look our for all the fun of Yarm Gala. You'll spot hardy paddleboarders and rowers on the water all year round and open water swimmers can take the plunge from a jetty at Presto Park. In autumn, the high street closes for the historic Yarm Fair which covers the cobbles and bring in the crowds.
Feasting is easy in this town known as a go-to for its good eateries, cocktails bars, lively pubs and cafe culture. Continental cafe Muse is a good stop brunch and has a smart heated outside dining terrace. There are sought-after steaks and cocktails at Tomahawk and authentic Italian pizza and pasta at buzzy Cena. Name-checked Fourteen Drops is a must-try female-founded wine bar where you can sample artisan wines matched with charcuterie platters and cheese. In the summer head to pavement cafes such as Mockingbird Deli, Nossa and Borellis where you can watch the world go by as you sip a coffee.
One of the town’s nicest places to linger is Strickland and Holt, a lovely old-style department store of sorts which is filled with gifts, stationery, womenswear and homewares. A great coffee and cake destination in the downstairs cafe too and upstairs head for some interiors finds at Cinnamon Bay.
