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Hi all,
I'm fairly new to Yorkshire, and have rented in Shipley for the past few years. We're now looking to buy and researching various areas. Our main requirements are that it needs to be on a train line into Leeds for work, and good access to the countryside for running and riding.
So far we've been looking at Skipton, Guiseley, Menston etc. I don't know too much about Silsden itself, but it seems to have a few good pubs, and quite a lot of housebuilding going on. Some in better locations than others but the prices are a bit more affordable. The train line is the other side of the valley but the walk seems fine.
I know there have been a few topics about this, so my specific question is, are there areas to avoid in terms of flooding? I know the bottom of Belton Road flooded a few years ago, but what about further up on Hainsworth Road (Croft Field, The Mallards, Kingfishers etc?).
Appreciate any local knowledge!
Cheers.
Silsden's not too bad, Steeton is decent as well, and obviously cheap(er) due to proximity to the fleshpots of Keighley. Both are improving as new development arrives. Crossing the dual carriageway from the Silsden side to get to and from the station looks like a PITA, although you say you like running, so maybe not so bad!
It's pretty easy to see which areas are on the flood plain, and I would certainly be steering clear of anything on the same level as the newish Aldi. I personally am not a fan of new builds anyway, though.
Riding-wise, there are relatively few bridleway options which don't involve starting on the Leeds Liverpool towpath either to get up to the Dales past Skipton or down towards Bingley. You can get up onto the back end of Ilkley Moor and across towards Baildon that way though.
I'm a Skipton lad but lived in Silsden for a good while. It's a decent town with friendly folk on the whole and stuff going on if you want that?
As Martin said, don't think I'd trust anything on Aldi's level, although saying that there are plenty of industrial units around there that have not flooded in the last 20 years as far as I know? Skipton Properties are building the houses up near the reservoir and they tend to build better than the big boys. There's a good selection of other houses too if it doesn't need to be new? It expanded a lot in the 70's.
If schools are a consideration it's worth finding out if South Craven is still the local secondary as it's very decent but Silsden is right on the border and the council changes it's mind sometimes and sends the Silsden kids to Keighley schools which tend to be sub-optimal.
Another village worth considering is Cononley although it's smaller with less facilities. Nice village on the train line though.
Riding wise, Skipton Moor is only a few miles up hill away if you come in from Draughton Heights which then opens up a bigger area, or head up the back road towards Riddlesden which brings you towards the back of Ilkley Moor. Another option would be to run up to Keighley Tarn via Steeton then take your pick from plenty of routes.
Another village worth considering is Cononley although it’s smaller with less facilities.
Cononley is a nice village, but I'd veto it personally on the basis of no-one being arsed to sort out the dangerous junction onto the 629, and the 'level crossing of eternal waiting'. I've been sat there for 20 minutes while consecutive trains stopped at the station!
Depends how near you need to be to a station - walking distance or driving?
Not sure of your budget, but also check out around East Morton (Busfeild Arms, Cracking pub) and Micklethwaite which is between Keighley and Bingley. Local train station at Cross hills. Some good biking from the doorstep too. I know as my inlaws live there. Actually this was how I become good friends with the late Troutie who lived in Silsden.
As others have said plenty of running and riding. Access onto the back of ilkley moor is pretty easy. For running silsden is the spiritual home of wharfedale harriers, yes I know it's not in wharfedale. Flooding wise just avoid the new estate that's obvs on the flood plain. They've been very slow to sell!
Most parts up Park Road in Bingley are nice enough with the train station at the bottom.
Lived in Silsden for the last 20 years. Personally would avoid the new Barratt estate as fields flood all the time. Not aware of any flooding in the Mallards/ Kingfisher area.
As has been mentioned there are lots of new houses going up and planning permission for a lot more is in progress too.
I use the station to commute into Leeds a couple of days a week and yes crossing the dual carriage way is interesting. There is a car park but it is currently being rebuilt to increase capacity. There is also talk of a footbridge being built by 2025 too.
There is also talk of a footbridge being built by 2025
It's up there with HS2 in terms of complexity, surprised they can get it done so quickly.
There is also talk of a footbridge being built by 2025 too.
That footbridge was "coming next year" each of the four years we lived in Skipton. That was 2015-2019. Glad to see they're still moving ahead with haste.
The year we moved to the area (November 2015) all the fields where a lot of the new Steeton / Silsden new builds in the valley were under three feet of water. That's why they're so cheap.
We really enjoyed our stint living in Skipton. Would wholeheartedly recommend if you can find the right house.
The running and riding in Skipton/Silsden is not as good as what’s on offer from your doorstep in Shipley.
Yep they are more countrysidey but that just means inaccessible farm land.
Shipley has off road direct access to Harden Moor and beyond off road and Baildon Moor / Ilkley Moor, Buck Woods etc etc. You can ride for hours without going near a road
I wouldn’t be moving from there if access to good trails is your reason
If it’s to get out oh a very urban polluted area, that’s a different question! I would be looking at Baildon / Bingley areas
As on other threads LS postcodes are way more expensive than BD postcodes
Brilliant, thanks everyone. Some things to consider and definitely answered a few questions. Good to know the history of the footbridge, that had been sold to us as something happening soon. Definitely not interested in the Barratt site!
Couple of interesting recent threads about housing in the area has given us lots to think about.
Shipley does have its upsides, but we'd definitely like to move a bit further out!
As on other threads LS postcodes are way more expensive than BD postcodes
As on the other thread, not necessarily so.
As on the other thread, not necessarily so.
*Waves from BD23*
Shipley does have its upsides
Well, Saltaire is OK, but it's an island in a sea of scrotes.
I've lived in Bingley for 25 years and always thought the bit we are in was ok but after having two bikes stolen at the weekend I'm not so sure!
The running and riding in Skipton/Silsden is not as good as what’s on offer from your doorstep in Shipley.
Yep they are more countrysidey but that just means inaccessible farm land.
Shipley has off road direct access to Harden Moor and beyond off road and Baildon Moor / Ilkley Moor, Buck Woods etc etc. You can ride for hours without going near a road
Some great riding too. I've good friends in baildon, saltaire, shipley and the airedale mix of urban/industrial with bits of fields/woods/parks and hard gristone moors appeals to me more than the softer countryside wharfedale scenery. It's easier to live over this way though.
^^^^ You'll definitely miss all the great riding from your door in Shipley.