Bradford house buying guide

The town of Shipley lies four miles north of Bradford’s city centre. It’s a quaint town with traditional terraced houses as well as modern apartments.

For something really special, head to the village of Saltaire in the north of Shipley.  From the outside, these beautiful stone houses will make you feel as though you’ve travelled back in time to the 1800s. You’ll be glad to know that most of these properties have been well cared for and modernised, often while retaining period features such as fireplaces and floorboards.

Transport

Two train stations and a handful of bus services make it easy to get into the centre of Bradford and other Yorkshire cities. If you drive, you can reach the Yorkshire Dales in 30 minutes and the Peak District in 45. 

Local schools

If you're looking for primary schools, look no further than Saltaire Primary School and St Walburga's Catholic Primary School. For older children, consider Titus Salt and Beckfoot School.

Property price growth

Over the last year, property prices in Shipley were 8% up on the previous year.

History

If you can't guess from the name, Shipley has a long history of sheep rearing; Shipley comes from the Old English words scīp (sheep) and lēah (a clearing). The area was first settled in the late Bronze Age, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. But Shipley really came into its own during the Industrial Revolution, when the established cottage industry of wool-making and nearby River Aire created the perfect stage for a booming textile industry.

Soon, industrial mills were built to cater to the demand, as well as houses for the new mill workers, over doubling the village's population within 30 years. Before, spinning yarn was undertaken in "loom shops" in workers' cottages - you can still see some examples of these in Saltaire.

At the base of the Yorkshire Dales and 10 miles north of Bradford’s city centre lies the affluent Ilkley. You might have heard of it if you're familiar with the "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at" song!

Ilkley is a quaint town, with its own character and local charms thanks to its thriving high street where you’ll find bookshops, high-end clothes shops and the iconic Betty's Café Tea Rooms. The Ilkley moor is walkable from the town - perfect for rambling dog walks or weekend day outings. Only a few miles away from the Dales, Ilkley is also the perfect base for those who enjoy country walks or cycling.

Transport

Ilkley has its own train station, meaning you’re well connected to the rest of Yorkshire and beyond. You can also reach the centre of Bradford within 30 minutes by car, assuming there’s little to no traffic.

Local schools

There’s a small choice of schools rated ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ in Ilkley, making this an ideal place to raise a family. These include Ashlands Primary and All Saints C of E Primary for younger children, and the co-ed secondary school Ilkley Grammer.

Property price growth

Over the last year, sold property prices in Ilkley were 16% up on the previous year.

History

Ilkley has been inhabited for thousands of years; in fact, the carvings on Ilkley Moor are believed to date from around 1800 BC. The local Celtic tribe (the Brigantes) likeley used Ilkley as a crossing across the Wharfe.

Later on when the Romans came to Britain, a small fort was built on the road from York to Manchester called Olicana. Around the fort, civilian buildings sprang up.

Between that time and up to the 18th century, Ilkley remained a small hamlet, before becoming a notable spa town in the 19th century. Wealthy Victorians would flock to spa towns like Ilkley in their thousands to "take the waters", including figures such as Charles Darwin and Charlotte Bronte.

If you’d like to live in a town that looks down on its neighbours, Queensbury is really special. Sitting at 1,100 feet above sea level, it’s one of the highest villages in England. On a clear day, you can see as far as York. You might need some binoculars, though.  

You’ll find takeaways, taverns, and a Tesco Superstore in the heart of the town. You can reach the centre of Bradford in around 15-20 minutes by car but there are bus services that operate in the area too.

Stunning views, clean air, and tons of character make Queensbury one of the best parts of Bradford for nature lovers. The downside? The village is notorious for its harsh winters, so if you have mobility issues or you hate the cold, a different part of Bradford may suit you better. 

Local schools

When it comes to primary schools in Queensbury, Foxhill, Russell Hall and Shibden Head Primary Academy are all rated good by Ofsted. For secondary education, Trinity Academy is the most central high school.

Property price growth

Over the last year, sold property prices in Queensbury were 3% down on the previous year.

History

The Queen's Head Inn is believed to have given Queensbury its name, as the area was originally known as Queenshead. The pub, now on the High Street, was a frequent stop for travellers between Halifax and Bradford.

Queensbury started as a village in the 19th century. The Black Dyke Mills, built in 1835 by John Foster, brought employment to Queensbury, and eventually dominated the whole area. The mills owners were responsible for the construction of many of the buildings in Queensbury, including housing, shops, leisure facilities and the Victoria Hall.

Interesting fact: the world-famous Black Dyke Band came from the area!