Why you should Live in Barrowford
Above: Barrowford
T
HIS pretty East Lancashire village has all the ingredients for a perfect place to set up home. Near to the M65, Barrowford has the benefits of village life as well as being near to the busier centres of Burnley and Blackburn. Pendle Water streams through its centre past the historic Park Hill, former residence of the Bannister family and now home to the Pendle Heritage Centre and the start of the Pendle Way offering numerous walks for every ability.
The village is bursting with designer boutiques for men, women and children whose exclusivity attracts local celebrities as well as people who have heard about the shops' reputations. When you want to wind down for the weekend there are two parks to choose from to take the family, plenty of walking routes or places to sit and watch the world go buy. There is a limited choice in eateries but this does not affect the good quality of food with pubs offering traditional recipes with a few restaurants offering a more formal night out. Also try out the Tudor-built White Bear Inn, a mainstay in the village's history, held as one of the most picturesque and oldest inns in the Pendle area.
The housing market, despite a steady rise in prices, has in the main stayed well below the national average giving buyers a real opportunity to get themselves a bargain.
Properties, by contrast, are far from average and you have your pick from quaint looking terraces and character properties as well as 17th and 18th century farmhouses and homes in former handloom weavers' cottages. A lakeside property can be snapped up for less than £300,000 making Barrowford an ideal place to get more for your money. There are still those multi-million pound properties on the edge of the village to whet the appetite of those with a bigger budget. New homes are rare to non-existent but this only adds to the character of the place. One of the many good things about Barrowford is there is something for everyone.
Property prices:
The latest Land Registry figures show detached
properties go for just over £300,000, semis for around £170,000,
terraces come in at £120,000 with flats available at just under £140,000.
Ups:
Good house prices, pretty location, thriving community and it's on
the up
Downs:
May be a bit too quiet for some, a little rough around the edges
in places
Schools:
Barrowford St Thomas CE Primary School, 01282 614462;
Barrowford School, 01282 615644
Transport:
The nearest train station is a short distance away in Nelson.
Buses run regularly to the village from nearby towns and villages. The
nearest airport is Leeds/Bradford International Airport at just over 20
miles away
Commuting:
Excellent commuter links for all nearby towns and cities
with access via the M65. Burnley is less than 20 minutes away and
access to Yorkshire or other parts of Lancashire is within easy reach.
Shops:
Lots of choice. Popular with footballers' wives, there are
designer boutiques, trendy hairdressers, health and beauty businesses
and its own diamond gallery. Booths are also hoping to own a store
here.
Restaurants/bars:
It is quality not quantity in Barrowford with good pub
food at a handful of places as well as an Italian restaurant and brassiere
Weekend fun:
Whichever way you turn there are options. Get out onto
the Yorkshire Dales for a days walking, take a stroll along the canal,
picnic in the park or visit local beauty spot Downham. Rainy day? Head
to Blackburn or over to Rossendale for some shopping or a trip to the
cinema.