Why Guiseley has become a fashionable place to live

Guiseley is the town that has everything but, eclipsed by the neighbouring hotspot of Ilkley, it hasn’t been high on buyers’ radar until recently.

Young professionals and families are now targeting the area thanks to its abundance of amenities and its proximity to Leeds city centre and to open countryside. Its railway station, which offers a 15-minute train journey into Leeds city centre, is also a big draw, as are house prices when compared to Ilkley.

Estate agent Jeremy Barraclough of Dale Eddison says: “Here you can get a five-bedroom detached house for £500,000 and in Ilkley that would be £700,000. Apartments start at £120,000 and two-bedroom terraced houses from £190,000 but stock of properties for sale is low and demand is high.”

Richard Hare, manager of Dacre, Son and Hartley’s Guiseley office, agrees and adds: “The market has changed a lot in the last couple of years. The buyer demographic is now younger. We are seeing more first-time buyers and the core market is now young professionals and young families who want to settle down and buy a property that will be their home for the next 10 to 20 years.

“We have also seen new bars, cafes and delis open to cater for the younger crowd and there seems to be more of a community spirit.”

House builders too have targeted the area and the best-known development is the multi-award-winning transformation of the former High Royds Hospital and its grounds into homes that are set in 200 acres of parkland with bridleways, ponds, tennis courts and sports pitches.

Such is the interest in the town, Dacre, Son and Hartley has chosen it to feature in a new series of area guides on its website, www.dacres.co.uk.

Here are some key insights from the Dacres guide to Guiseley.

*The bustling town of Guiseley has a vast leisure and retail offering and is flanked by stunning countryside. It’s approximately 10 miles from Leeds city centre and less than eight miles from both Bradford and Ilkley.

*The town benefits from excellent road, rail and bus links. The A65 runs straight through Guiseley into Leeds city centre, with Ilkley and Skipton in the opposite direction. Guiseley railway station has regular services into Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley and Leeds Bradford International Airport is just a 10-minute drive away.

*There are good primary schools and several reputable secondary schools to choose from. These include Guiseley School, Benton Park at Rawdon and Menston’s outstanding-rated St. Mary’s.

*Shopping is excellent and there are prominent independents through to high street retailers including Next, Argos, Halfords, Currys PC World, TK Maxx, Pets at Home. When it comes to grocery shopping, there is Morrisons, Aldi and Marks & Spencer Simply Food.

*There are traditional pubs, gastropubs and restaurants, along with fashionable bars including The Hawkhill, Coopers, Everybodys and The Potting Shed.

*Leisure amenities include Guiseley Theatre, a cricket club and a football club and Aireborough Leisure Centre, which has a swimming pool. Guiseley also has countryside walks on the doorstep and golf courses at Hollins Hall and Bradford Golf Club.

*Guiseley was the birthplace Harry Ramsden’s. The fish and chip shop launched in 1928 and expanded into a restaurant inspired by Ritz Hotel. It is now The Wetherby Whaler but still serves delicious fish and chips.

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