Which Apple Tree?

Try asking Pomona about which one would be best for you as they're quite a reliable firm.

What type of apples do you enjoy when you buy them from the supermarket and do you want to keep them it eat them straight off the tree.

I can recommend, red falstaff, limelight and spartan as being trouble free to grow and for me...

All are fine off the tree but none will keep more than a week or so and perhaps more suitable for warmer areas of the uk - limelight especially I find it very bland. Spartan suffers terrible scab here but is a good choice if you like that style of apple.

It's getting a bit late in the day for barerooted trees so your selection may be limited - I've also bought from keepers in the past without issue.

You could also contact R V Rogers of Pickering - they are a specialist nursery and have a decent idea of what works in the N of England.

Will it be one apple tree on its own?  If so, you need a self pollinator.  I think a good choice that is spur bearing so good as an espalier would be Cox's Orange Pippin.  It isn't too early.

The pollination is a really good point, but are there any other apple or crabapple trees nearby?  They may act as pollinators if they are in the right 'groups'.

Thank you for all your suggestions. In the end I went for Norfolk Royal a traditional variety from Bernwode Fruit trees. I have Winter Greening also from them which should be a good pollinating partner. Now to construct a trellis.....