Staffordshire, situated in the heart of England, offers beautiful countryside, historic towns and a range of attractions to suit both young and old. House prices are relatively good value and it's an excellent base for commuting to large towns and cities nearby such as Birmingham. Staffordshire is most famous for 'The Potteries' which is the col...
Staffordshire, situated in the heart of England, offers beautiful countryside, historic towns and a range of attractions to suit both young and old. House prices are relatively good value and it's an excellent base for commuting to large towns and cities nearby such as Birmingham. Staffordshire is most famous for 'The Potteries' which is the collective name given for five towns renowned for their pottery production.
The most famous of these towns is Stoke-on-Trent though nowadays employment here tends to centre around the distribution and services industries. In areas of Stoke such as Hanley, there are some excellent new homes on offer and for prices that are great value regardless of what budget you have. There are also new houses being built on the site of the former Bucknall Hospital at Bucknall Grange as well as at Caldon Quay in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire's central location is one of its biggest assets. With Birmingham to the south and the Peak National Park to the north, the county has the M6 running through it as well as many other A roads that give good car journey times to different parts of the country. A train from Stafford to Birmingham takes around 30 minutes whilst from Stoke-on-Trent to Birmingham it's around 50 minutes. Derby and Nottingham lie just to the east of Staffordshire and are also handy for commuting. The nearest airport is at Birmingham although Manchester Airport is also just a short journey away.
It's mid-sized towns such as the county town of Stafford that Staffordshire excels and may appeal most to new home buyers. Stafford is typical of the region in fact, with it being a very pleasant, compact town. It has an array of tea rooms, cafés, bistros and restaurants in its town centre. The property market is bouyant, according to estate agents. It has fantastic transport links and is perfect for commuters with easy access to most major cities. As with the buying and selling of property here, the rental market is also very healthy and a good opportunity for those looking to buy-to-let.
The other larger towns in Staffordshire are Stoke-on-Trent, Cannock, Burton-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lichfield and Tamworth. Each of these towns has their own individual qualities to attract new buyers. There are 400 schools in Staffordshire and amongst the top performers are Chase Grammar School in Cannock, Stafford Grammar School, Painsley Catholic College in Cheadle, Walton High School and St Dominic's High School for Girls both in Stafford.
Staffordshire as a whole is a very attractive county where, for first-time buyers especially, house prices are exceptional value. It's location, amenities, employment opportunities and beautiful countryside mean it's a county well worth exploring.