Burnley, Lancashire is located in the northwest part of England. It is 21 miles north-west of Manchester. Bradford is 30 miles west. Blackpool and the rest are 40 miles away. There are many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales nearby. Burnley was a former industrial town during the Industrial Revolution. Its local market dates back to the Medieval period.
Burnley currently holds the title for the UK town with the highest number flipped properties. The 6th consecutive year, Burnley has maintained this title. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, property turnover is high in Burnley with an impressive 994 sales of local property in the last 12 month.
This is because the number of available homes is significantly lower than the £125,000 standard stamp duty threshold, which means that there is no stamp tax fee to be paid for property owners who use it as their primary residence. Lower overall house prices reduce the impact of the 3% stamp duties surcharge that was implemented in 2016 to property purchases not being used as a primary residence. This includes buy-to–let properties and second homes.
The average houses for sale Burnley price in the last 12 month was very affordable at £119,642. This is significantly less than the £256,000 national average (as of July 2021), £231,394 or £193,720 in Lancashire and Northwest regions, respectively. Particularly when compared with Lancashire hotspots Bretherton, (£622,500), and Bispham, (£580.667).
What can Burnley offer the home-buyer who is savvy? Find out more.
Transport links
Burnley is well connected via rail, bus, and road.
Burnley is a great place to travel by car, as it offers excellent connections to the nearby cities of Manchester, Bradford, Leeds and Blackburn.
Bus services also run regularly to nearby villages, towns, and the larger northwest region. These include Clitheroe (Accrington), Bury, and Manchester. National Express operates coach services from Burnley Bus Station, London, and Birmingham.
Burnley offers five train stations, Burnley Manchester Road and Burnley Central, as well as Burnley Barracks, Rose Grove, and Hapton. Regular trains are available to York, Blackpool, Leeds and Leeds. The service to Manchester Victoria, which is located approximately 45 minutes from central Manchester, has been restored since 2015.
Four airports are within an hour’s drive of Burnley for those who wish to travel further afield. The closest airport to Burnley is Leeds Bradford Airport. Manchester Airport and Blackpool Airport are next. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is third.
Schools and education
A remarkable 37 primary schools are located in Burnley. The vast majority have been rated by Ofsted as ‘good. Both Holly Grove School, Burnley Stoneyholme Community Primary School, and Holly Grove School were both rated as ‘outstanding’.
Burnley is home to five secondary schools, including Blessed Trinity RC Community College (Burley High School), Burnley High School and Sir John Thursby Community College. Shuttleworth College, Unity College, Shuttleworth College, and Shuttleworth College are all available for students aged 11-16.
There are two options for further and higher education: Thomas Whitham Sixth Form and the University Technical College Lancashire. This is for 14-19-year-olds. Burnley College offers professional training courses, A level, vocational, apprenticeship and trade training courses. Ofsted rated Burnley College ‘outstanding.
You can also find a variety of preschool and nursery settings, as well as a number classes and parent groups for children younger than three years old.
Leisure and amenities
Locally, you will find plenty of leisure and retail options when it comes to lifestyle. Charter Walk Shopping Centre, which is home to both large-scale retailers and smaller independent shops, offers a wide range of products. It also features an indoor market that has been awarded the best in the city. You will also find a selection of supermarkets, such as Asda, Sainsburys, The Range, and B&M that offer all your basic needs. Locals love The Hideaway Bar and Kitchen and The Loom Makers Bistro as well as The Corkhouse wine shop and Corkhouse coffee bar.
Finsley Gate Wharf, a stunning new complex located on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to North of the town, offers a wide range of dining options as well as leisure and live entertainment. There is also a new artisan marketplace that takes place on the first Saturday of each month to help local businesses. Offers include freshly baked goods, homewares and clothing.
The area is home to stunning Pennine scenery, such as Pendle Hill, Forest of Bowland AONB (the Yorkshire Dales National Park) and Nidderdale AONB (the Yorkshire Dales National Park), and numerous parks and outdoor spaces, like Queens Park and Towneley Park. Burnley is an ideal location, with 80% of its land being rural.
What’s on?
There are many events and activities that Burnley has to offer throughout the year.
Both the popular music festivals Wile Out (and Retro in the Park) take place in Towneley Park, while the Burnley Festival of Speech, Music & Stage Dance is held at various venues throughout the town. Paint Padiham is an annual competition that is open to both amateur and pro artists.
The Grade 2 Burnley Mechanics Theatre features the best of local and international live entertainment. This includes opera, ballet, stand up comedy, and family-friendly theatre shows.
Sport enthusiasts have many options, including riding horses, biking, golfing, and hiking. Rossendale Vale Saling Club is 15 minutes away from town and offers windsurfing (sailing), kayaking and other water sport opportunities. Burnley Leisure also offers indoor fitness facilities and opportunities at various venues in the town.
For more information on upcoming and future events in Burnley, head to https://burnley.co.uk/
Safety and crime
Burnley isn’t immune to crime and other anti-social behaviour. But Lancashire Police works closely with the local community, and has a dedicated local police team.
The Burnley Business Improvement District collaborates closely with local businesses to maintain and enhance the town’s centre. Additionally, there are many neighbourhood watch schemes.