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Reasons To Move To Zennor, Cornwall

2011-06-29T16:48:00.001+01:00

Zennor, Cornwall - an extremely wild granite village with lovely people!

Reasons to move to Zennor, Cornwall – an extremely wild granite village with lovely people – would take too long to list! Zennor is a village located on the north Cornish coast, about 6 miles north of Penzance with a population of 217 according to the 2001 census. The parish includes the villages of Zennor, Boswednack and Porthmeor and the hamlet of Treen. The name Zennor is the Cornish for the local saint, St Senara.

On one side Zennor has high rocky cliffs and on the other side granite hills. Zennor Head, a costal promontory rises over 200 feet from the sea level. The old stone quarry on Zennor Hill provided granite for most of St Ives and the Falmouth Harbour walls.

Zennor Quoit, a large tomb monument dating to 2500–1500 BC can be found about a mile west of the village. The heavy 12.5 ton stone roof collapsed, but the burial chamber is still in good condition.

One of the highlights of Zennor is the story of Matthew Trewhella and the mermaid. The legend has it that Matthew Trewhella, a church chorister, had such a beautiful voice that it attracted a mermaid’s attention. She disguised her tail in a long dress and every day she would come to listen to his songs. He noticed her beauty and they fall in love. Lured by the mermaid, Matthew follows her into the waters of Pendour Cove never to be seen again. It said that on warm summer nights one can hear his song on the breeze above Pendour Cove.

During the First World War, D.H Lawrence lived here with his German wife. They had rented Higher Tregerthen and it was during this time that he wrote Women in Love.

As an attempt to convert the locals to Methodism, John Wesley preached to about 300 people in September 1748. A large stone just outside the village is said to have been used as a pulpit. Patrick Heron (30 January 1920 – 20 March 1999), an English painter, writer and designer lived in Cornwall until the age of nine. In 1956 he returned to live at the 'Eagle's Nest' house. He died in his home in Zennor at the age of 79. Many of his works are on display at the Tate St Ives gallery.

The Church of St Senara in Zennor dates from Norman times and is believed to stand on the site of a 6th century Celtic church. In was restored in 1890. The family boxes replaced the original carved oak seats. One of the two 600 years old bench end depicts the legendary mermaid holding a comb and a mirror in her hands. At the gate of the church is an old coffin rest. It is believed that the church is named after Princess Asenora of Brittany, the mother of St Budock.

The Wayside Museum founded in 1930 houses a 16th century miller's cottage, complete with granite water mill with a traditional Cornish kitchen and an outdoor exhibition of various domestic and mining tools. An immense collection of 5,000 artifacts reflects the lives of the people which have been here from 3,000 BC to the present day. A ‘plague stone’ outside the museum marks the boundary which villagers were not allowed to pass during the black death.

The Tinners Arms pub built in 1271 offers an authentic pub experience with real Cornish ales and carefully prepared food.

Train services are mostly limited to the south coast beyond Exeter being the single line that reaches the region, but you can always take bus No 300 or No 34 from St Ives to get to Zennor. Reasons to move to Zennor, Cornwall – an extremely wild granite village with lovely people – tranquil, beautiful and spectacular, and best of all DIY-Home-Selling.com lists a 4 bedroom house on for £595,000 in nearby St.Ives.

Reasons To Move To Veryan, Cornwall

2011-06-29T12:19:00.000+01:00

Veryan, Cornwall – where performance meets the sea at the Minack Theatre

Veryan is a small village along stretch of coast with sandy beaches in the Roseland Peninsula, in Cornwall. The parish has the main communities of Veryan Chuchtown, Veryan Green, Portole and 4 binacles: Trewartha, Treviskey, Carne and Camels. Veryan was mentioned for the first time in 1086, in the Domesday Book as the manor of Elerky. The original name is probably a continuous corruption from "Symphorian” to “Severian” and finally “Saint Veryan”. There are numerous good reasons to move to Veryan, Cornwall – where performance meets the sea at the Minack Theatre.

The church of the Saint Symphorian had been given by the Lord of the manor of Elerky to the monks of the Montacute in Somerset and there's no evidence of its existence before the Norman Conquest. In 1220 Lord John Montacute gave the church to the Den and Chapter of Exeter which held it until 1859.

Carne Bacon is the burial place of Geraint the Cornish Saint. Popular literature suggests that the burial mound contains the golden boat with the silver oars on which Geraint was brought to Gerrans Bay.

During the Second World War the first German aircraft sent to invade England were spotted in Veryan. Because of the clear view over the sea, in January 1940 the T2 Veryan Post was opened as a part of No. 20 Group Truro. The post, consisting of an observation area with aircraft plotting instruments and a small space for making refreshments and seeking shelter, was a wooden 3 meters by 4 meters square. They sent information to Turo, where the main room was based, using a landline telephone.

In 1962, after the end of World War II the site was closed, demolished and moved to Nare Head. The Veryan Post Museum retains all the remains of the post and its concrete foundation. A tourist attraction point is Saint Symphorian Church which has an unusual plan with a tower, south transept and north aisle.

The most well known buildings in the village are the five Roundhouses built in the 19^th century for the Reverend Jeremiah Trist. The houses are built in a round style, so the Devil cannot hide in the corners. The Roundhouses are available for renting and offer interesting accomodation – with or without devils!

Veryan attracts tourism due to its position on the Roseland Peninsula and for its location near the South Coast Path. The town offers plenty of athletic opportunities like tennis, cricket and football at the local sports pavillion. Veryan Primary School was built in 1872 on the site where the reveran Jeremiah Trist built his first school. Founded in the heart of the village of Veryan, an 'Area of Outstanding Beauty' and a 'Conservation Area' the school educate the children of the parish. This task has been carried out continuously for the last 190 years with an establishment of a headteacher, three teachers and eight support staff.

From Veryan along narrow lanes, there are car parks at Carn and Pendower. The town is easily accessed by car but you can also use Veryan buses and trains to Truro and St. Austell. There are property bargains to be had in Cornwall, with DIY-Home-Selling.com listing a three bedroom cottage in nearby Truro for £339,000

Reasons To Move To Uppingham, Rutland

2011-06-29T11:57:00.000+01:00

Uppingham, Rutland - the town where the elegant architecture of the 13th century stands proud

About 6 miles south of Okham, in Rutland County, East Midlands, there's a charming town with a population of 3781 inhabitants, known as Uppingham. Rich in architecture and history, Uppingham allows visitors to enjoy a wide array of entertainment, shopping and outdoor activities such as hunting, bicycle riding, barbecueing, and long romantic walks among the picturesque hills. Plentiful reasons to move to Uppingham, Rutland - the town where the elegant architecture of the 13th century stands proud

Recorded in 1777 as having 40 inhabitants, the Uppingham workhouse functioned until 1836, when the Uppingham Poor Law Union founded the new Union Workhouse, designed and built by William Donthorne, on the Leicester Road. During the Great War, this building was used as a hospital by the Voluntary Aid Detachment, but in 1929 the building was closed and made Uppingham School’s property, which later used it as a boarding school.

The main interest points to visit in Uppingham are in the center of the town. Starting from the Market Square and High Street towards the Victorian fountain, you can see buildings with gorgeous 17th century’s architecture. Several half figures of Christ and Two Angels are the oldest remains, dating back in the 13th century. These are well protected inside the Uppingham Church Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The existing building dates from the 14th century, although it was altered over the centuries. Four pieces of late Saxon sculpture are the only things that remained from the early church. Placed in the heart of the community, the church is always open from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. for those who want to experience a few moments of 13^th century life.

At the south of the church is the Uppingham School - a grammar school founded in 1584 by the architect Robert Johnson. The piece that distinguishes the Uppingham School from other town schools would be the pompous roof of the building, which bares the seal of Elizabeth I. Friday is the Market Day in Uppingham and merchants from all over the County gather here with their finest merchandise.

Rockingham Castle, a former royal castle and hunting lodge in Rockingham Forest, is one of the last three remaining Norman castles in England. Built by William the Conqueror 450 years ago, the castle is an impressive work of art. Because of its high ground, the place where the castle stands was used in the Iron Age, the Roman period and the Saxon invasion, as a shield.

Uppingham offers an independent grammar school - Uppingham School, a secondary state school – Uppingham Community Collage and two primary schools - Leighfield and Uppingham Church of England School.

Uppingham’s railway station, at the end of the Queen Street, was opened in 1894 and closed in 1964. The railway station area is now the center of the real estate industry. The nearest railway station is in Oakham on the cross- country line between Birmingham, Leicester and Peterborough. Even though the nearest railway line is in the Manton Junction, it does not stop in Uppingham, so they opened an east-west A41 bypass, easing traffic congestion in the area. DIY-Home-Selling.com lists a three bedroom property a couple of miles away in Gretton for £160,000, one of the nearby reasons to move to Uppingham, Rutland.

Reasons To Move To Weddington, Warwickshire

2011-06-29T11:33:00.000+01:00

Reasons to move to Weddington, Warwickshire

Weddington is a village near Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The parish includes the church, Rectory, Church Farm, the Grove and Weddington Castle and grounds. It is surrounded on the west and south by the Anker River and bounded northeast by Watling Street.

This picturesque little village was, for the most part of its history, just a slice of intriguing wilderness with its population rarely over fifty and even in 1901 the number of inhabitants was only just over one hundred. The development of Nuneaton, however, changed that and many small houses have been built since, providing lots of good reasons to move to Weddington, Warwickshire.

The Weddington Castle (now demolished), an impressive Elizabethan architectural achievement, was once the jewel of the village. Built by Thomas, Marquess of Dorest, in 1566 on the site of the capital mansion-house, the castle and its surrounding gardens required lands to be converted to pasture, houses to be allowed to go to ruin and, unfortunately, people to be driven from their homes. Evolving from a Royal Hunting Lodge in the ancient village of Weddington to become an extensive fortified Hall set amidst beautifully landscaped gardens, this centuries-old building was demolished in the 1920s to make way for a housing estate.

Nowadays, the parish church of St. James is Weddington's most interesting cultural spot to be visited. The church consists of a chancel, nave, north transept, south porch, and west tower. The north transept is probably of early-14th-century date. The chancel, nave, and west tower were rebuilt in red brick in 1733. The building was restored in 1881, when Gothic windows were inserted in place of the 1733 details. To put it simply, the combination of old and new and the mixture of details make the delightful church of St. James a place worth seeing.

Richard Vines, a Puritan Divine and Greek scholar, was presented to the people of Weddington in 1627 and to Caldecote in 1630, holding both for a time. He was one of the orthodox divines presented for Warwickshire to be consulted about the reformed liturgy. He had gifts as a preacher, and a sermon preached before the House of Commons in 1642 made a great impression. He married Katherine daughter of Humphrey Adderley of Weddington.

There is a stretch of greenbelt bordering Weddington which is called Sandon Fields. The field has a newly revamped children's park, a sports pavilion, football pitches and the Cleaver Gardens flats. There is a second field, which is a narrow strip, running though Weddington to St. Nicolas Park and is called Coronation Walk. The field has a children's park.

Weddington is a suburb of Nuneaton and offers a local primary school, Weddington Primary School and secondary school Higham Lane School. The A444 runs through, is called Weddington Road, and further out of Nuneaton, Weddington Lane. Weddington doesn't have a railway station but the Nuneaton railway station is relatively close and it is an important railway junction, served by the West Coast Main Line, the Birmingham to Leicester railway line and by a line to Coventry via Bedworth.

Property is not unreasonable in the area, with DIY-Home-Selling.com listing a 4 bedroom house in Nuneaton for £229,000, one of several reasons to move to Weddington, Warwickshire.

Reasons To Move To Manningtree, Essex

2011-06-29T11:03:00.001+01:00

Manningtree - The Devil’s Dance Floor

Manningtree, a civil parish that lies on the Stour River in the Tendring district of Essex with a population of around 900 inhabitants claims to be the smallest town in England. In 2007 the mayor Lee Lay-Flurrie stated that this has been confirmed by the Census, and that the town has a population of over 700 people in 20 hectares. In April 2009 there was a proposal that Manningtree should merge with Mistley and Lawford as a single parish, thus losing its individuality. There might be one or two reasons to move to Manningtree, Essex – the devil’s dance floor.

The name “Manningtree” is believed to be a derived form of “many trees”. The origin is quite obscure, but in Tudor times the town was known as Manytre. The town’s economic activity was centered on the wool trade and also on corn, timber and shipping coal from the 15th century until its decline in the 18th century.

This little town found fame early through William Shakespeare in the late 1500’s. Apparently the roasted Manningtree ox reference from Henry IV Part I is a practice of roasting an entire ox at the town’s medieval fair which took place once a year. A depiction of this practice can be seen on a wall at the crossroads of the High Street and South Street.

Manningtree is also famous for the work Matthew Hopkins conducted here in 1644. The Witchfinder General as he liked to call himself, claims to have heard some local women talking with the devil. He accused them of witchcraft and they were condemned to death.

The Georgian facades that can be seen on many of the centre buildings hide the early Tudor or Elizabethan style. The building that was once used for the corn exchange and later on, around 1900, for entertainment is now the town’s library. The oldest Methodist church in Essex can be found on South Street. The crossroads in the town centre is still known as the Market Cross. A great variety of pubs, shops and restaurants can be found on the High Street.

Manningtree Beach is the ideal place for relaxation and a beautiful full view of the river.

Richard Rigby had great plans to transform Mistley into a spa town and hired the famous architect Robert Adam. Being unable to pay for the services the work ceased and transformation was never accomplished. Mistley Towers and the Swan Fountain are the only things that remained of Adam's work. Manningtree railway station is a direct link to London, Norwich and Harwich.

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom used to live in Manningtree and worked for BX Plastics. Is that a reason to move to Manningtree?

Known for the many events that happen here and as a place for entertainment, Manningtree attracts thousands of visitors each year despite its small population. They came here to enjoy the town’s architecture, the outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, great relaxing walks in the Manningtree area and its charming streets where the impressive buildings have watched the town for centuries.

Property is reasonable in Manningtree – DIY-Home-Selling.com has a four bedroom house in nearby Colchester for £400,000, one of the good reasons to move to Manningtree, Essex – the devil’s dance floor.

Reasons To Move To Salford, Greater Manchester

2011-06-28T18:06:00.000+01:00

The City of Salford - The Heart of Manchester

The City of Salford is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester. Named after its largest settlement, the city covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Eccles, Swinton and Pendlebury, Walkden and Irlam. According to the 2001 UK census, the borough had a total population of 216,103.

The City of Salford – The Heart of Manchester – and there are plenty of reasons to move to Salford, Greater Manchester.

Where to begin? Salford has:

· 60% green space

· 18 square miles of countryside and parks

· six waterways

· 30 miles of rivers and canals

· 112 ponds and lakes

· 14 waterway bridges

· Britain's largest inland waterway

· a world-class arts and theatre complex attracting over 1,000,000 visitors a year

· a history stretching back to 923AD

· the north west's first five star hotel

· one infamous Tudor building

· one of the world's first public lending libraries

· Manchester city centre one minute away

· one potential World Heritage site

· 30 miles of sculpture trail

· one airport

· two National League rugby clubs

· one leading UK university

· over 150 big name companies and

· three ghosts

Salford's name is forged out of a combination of two ancient words: "Sal" or "Sahl", extracted from the Latin "Salix" meaning sallow, and "ford". Hence, it could be translated as the Willow Ford. It was, for many centuries, the only place to cross the River Irwell for many miles in either direction.

Although the metropolitan borough of the City of Salford was a 20^th century creation, the area has a long history, extending back all the way to the Stone Age. By the early 13^th century, Salford had already emerged as a small town, and in 1230 it was granted a charter by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6^th Earl of Chester, making it a free borough.

During the Industrial Revolution, the town grew as a result of the textile industry.

Although Salford experienced an increase in population, it was overshadowed by the dominance of Manchester and did not evolve as a commercial centre in the same way. The former County Borough of Salford was granted city status in 1926. For the greater part of its existence, Salford fed and grew according to the textile industry. In the late 19th century, the city branched out economically with the opening of the Salford Docks.

During the 1970s, the docks fell into decline as they proved too small for new, larger ships. When they were abandoned in 1982, more than 3000 people lost their jobs. The City Council purchased the docks in 1984 and since then Salford Quays underwent regeneration as a centre for tourism and mass-media, which included the construction of the magnificent Lowry Centre and the opening of BBC's northern home.

Just a short stroll along the streets of Salford will, no doubt, make you notice the abundance of landmark buildings. Three of these magnificent landmarks happen to be imposing religious edifices: the Church of St. Augustine built in 1874 by George Frederick Bodley, the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, originally built in the 13^th century, and Salford Cathedral, built in 1845 - the seat of the Diocese of Salford. There are also three Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the city, the oldest one being an Iron Age promontory fort occupied from 500 BC–200 AD.

Adjacent to the University of Salford is the Peel Park which opened in 1846. This is quite possibly the oldest public park in the world. In recent times, the park has been redeveloped to provide a pleasant place of escape for university students, locals and visitors. The Lowry Center is the jewel of the city, a huge complex of galleries, theaters, and other facilities. The city enjoys an unusual number of parks and aesthetically pleasing recreation grounds.

Salford boasts a large number of famous people: the actor Albert Finney, the Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley, also Robert Powell and the opera singer Russell Watson. The classical music composer, appointed Master of the Queen's Music in March 2004 Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and John Cooper Clarke, the inventor of punk poetry are also residents of Salford.

The city's education levels range from primary and secondary schools, all the way through high-schools and colleges. The University of Salford rises proud in the downtown of the city as a thriving youthful and multi-cultural center of education specialized in science and technology.

The city of Salford is served by nine railway stations on four routes. Eccles and Patricroft are on the northern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line. Irlam, in the southwest, is on the southern route. Clifton is on the line to Bolton and Preston; Swinton, Moorside and Walkden are on the Manchester to Southport Line via Wigan. Salford Central and Salford Crescent are served by both routes.

If you want to be a part of the Heart of Manchester, and you have enough of your own reasons to move to Salford, Greater Manchester, then check out DIY-Home-Selling.com who have a 6 bedroom house listed for £600,000.

Reasons To Move To Ramsgate, Kent

2011-06-28T16:15:00.000+01:00

Ramsgate, Kent…England’s Royal Harbour

In the east of the county of Kent, in the district of Thanet, lies the seaside town of Ramsgate, England’s Royal Harbour. With a population of 39,639 people, Ramsgate is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a magnificent sandy beach and its flourishing industries are tourism and fishing. It is also the centre of the three famous east Kent coast resorts, between Broadstairs and Margate. There are probably hundreds of reasons to move to Ramsgate, Kent, and here are but a few.

Even since the beginning of its time, Ramsgate has been the busiest harbour in England. King George IV landed here in 1822 and gave the town the title of Royal Harbour and raised considerably the town’s popularity. But the history of Ramsgate starts back in the 5^th century when the mercenaries Hengest and Horsa landed here to announce that England was joining the pagan Anglo-Saxon age. Also, the Christian link between England and Rome probably wouldn’t have been re-established if the missionary St. Augustine didn’t land in Ramsgate in 597.

What defines the town of Ramsgate is surely the Ramsgate harbour. Its construction began in 1749 and finished in 1850, being the most important embarkation point during the Napoleonic Wars, and the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 due to its proximity to the mainland Europe. As the BBC2 TV documentary series Red Herrings states, Ramsgate was the place where the pressure group Critical Mass formed in 1984.

Even if the town is basically a ferry port, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t a pleasant and charming place. On the contrary, taking a promenade through its lovely gardens and streets, you can admire many Georgian, Regency and Victorian properties. There are 900 listed buildings in the town and more than 200 surround the Marina. Not to mention the picturesque views of the beach and the parks surrounding the two chalk cliffs: the East Cliff and the West Cliff.

The three notable churches of Ramsgate rise from above the other buildings imposing serenity. The Thanet parish of St Lawrence built in 1062 and rebuilt during the following centuries. The most significant changes belong to the 16^th century. The church St Augustine's is situated on the town's West Cliff - it was designed in the neo-Gothic style by Augustus Pugin in 1847. The Parish Church of St George is situated on the town's High Street. It has a lantern tower which looks over the town and was added at the request of Trinity House Lighthouses to help the ships’ navigation.

There are plenty of things to do in Ramsgate since it is a town of active tourism. The Gallery IOTA (Isle Of Thanet Arts) or the Ramsgate Maritime Museum are top places of interest once you set your foot here. But the main attraction is the coastline, especially the 2008’s Blue Flag award winner - Ramsgate Main Sands. During the summer there is an annual Powerboat Grand Prix, a carnival and the annual Addington Street Fair or French Market. The continental cafe style culture of Ramsgate comes with many bars and restaurants on the seafront parade.

Probably the obvious way to travel to or from Ramsgate is by sea, but it’s easier to do it by rail or road. Trains run from Ramsgate to London Charing Cross and London Victoria Margate, Chatham and Bromley South, or via Canterbury West or Dover Priory.

Ramsgate is connected to the national road network primarily through the A299 Thanet Way and The A256 to Dove.

With plenty of shops, restaurants, good schools and amazing views, Ramsgate makes an ideal home for a family. DIY-Home-Selling.com lists a spacious 2 bedroom flat in Ramsgate for £275,000, good reasons to move to Ramsgate, Kent…England’s Royal Harbour.

Reasons To Move To Quorn, Leicestershire

2011-06-28T15:46:00.001+01:00

Quorn, Leicestershire – the village that never sleeps…

Just next to the university town of Loughborough is the lovely village of Quorn with a population of only 4,961 people. According to the Lincoln Episcopal Register, Quorn had many names such as Querne, Quendon, Querendon, Quarendon, Qaryndon, Querinden, Querondon, and Quernedon. It finally became Quorn in 1889 to avoid being confused with the village Quarndon located just a few miles away. Its original name comes from the Old English “cweordun” which means “the quarrying hill”. Being a vegetarian would be a good reason to move to Quorn, Leicestershire – the village that never sleeps!

The quarrying of stone in Quorn began in the early Iron Age. Later, in Romans times, the stone was quarried here - its many large millstones can still be seen around the area, some around my neck! At the edge of the village is Quorn Hall, the home of Hugo Meynell who was a great name among the fox hunting fraternity of those days and the master of the Quorn Hunt. In 1800, Hugo Meynell ceased to be the master at the Quorn Hunt, but the hall remained the hunters’ headquarters for another 100 years. Today, the hall hosts school parties and scores of European students as an International Education Centre.

Quorn also has its place in history in both World War I and World War II. In World War II, the town offered shelter for many members of the United States Army 82nd Division's 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment whose paratroopers liberated the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, in Normandy, France. The day of liberation remains in history under the name of D-Day, when many American veterans come back to Quorn to remember their time here and their comrades who died. Plaques and a cenotaph honouring these men and these moments can be found at Quorn's Memorial Gardens.

Today’s Quorn is a lovely place with a superb mixture of interesting architecture. St. Bartholomew's Church is a 12^th century grade 1 building, of the Norman hunting Lords of the Manor of Barrow upon Soar. It harbours many impressive features and treasures of the Norman times. At the 18th century Quorn Grange Hotel situated on the edge of Charnwood Forest, it is an open air theatre where you can enjoy musical and drama performances. During the days of Quorn’s arts and craft fairs, the village comes so alive that it can easily compete with London’s agitation. It is very pleasant and strange to be in a place where you can enjoy both nature and London’s buzz.

As for education, in Quorn there are only primary and secondary schools. But the village is so close to the university town of Loughborough, so the access to schools there has never been easier.

Traveling by car to or from Quorn is easy because the town is by-passed by the A6. The Great Central Railway Centre offers a steam line running through Leicestershire’s countryside between Birstall, Quorn and Loughborough. Steam driven trains which travel with a speed of 25 miles per hour will carry you in a dreamy, lazy journey within the surroundings.

You can get your own place in the area by checking out DIY-Home-Selling.com which lists a 3 bedroom £300,000 home just down the road in Bagworth. That home alone would be a good reason to move to Quorn, Leicestershire – the village that never sleeps!

Reasons To Move To Padiham, Lancashire

2011-06-28T15:12:00.000+01:00

Padiham, Lancashire – a town that still has Victorian charm

On the River Calder, about 3 miles west of Burnley and south of Pendle Hill in Lancashire, lies the small town and civil parish of Padiham. With a population of 8,998 the town is most famous as the home of Gawthorpe Hall, an Elizabethan house built early in the 17th-century for the Shuttleworth family. Since 1970, the hall belongs to the National Trust and leased to Lancashire County Council. The Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth collection is one of the finest textile collections in the country and is displayed at Gawthorpe Hall. All the work was made by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth who was a talented needle-woman, skilled at the art of lace-making and embroidery. Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth may have had reasons to move to Padiham, Lancashire – a town that still has Victorian charm, and so will you!

Historically, Padiham dates from 1294. It was a market town for hundreds of years and it developed even more during the Industrial Revolution. Walking down the curving streets of Padiham, you can admire many buildings of old Georgian and Victorian architecture. The most impressive of all is the Church of St.Leonard. Built in 1869, the church has a soaring clock-face tower, distinct from all areas of the town. Inside, there are the memorials to several families, while the churchyard has some interesting 19^th century’s tombstones.

Besides Gawthorpe Hall, there are other three significant halls in Padiham: the Huntroyde Hall dating from 1576, the Simonstone Hall dating from 1660, and the Read Hall and Park. The Padiham Town Hall on Burnley Road is a grade II listed building, built and designed by Bradshaw Gass & Hope in 1938.

You can’t go to Padiham and not pay a visit to the Padiham Memorial Park, the winner of the Green Flag award. Situated at the top of Church Street, the park was opened in 1921 as a memorial to the heroes of the First World War. It covers 12 acres of land and is divided in two parts by the River Calder: in the upper part it has a rose garden, lawns and two memorials, while in the lower part there are two bowling greens, a tennis court, a skate park and Padiham's leisure centre.

As for education, Padiham has many good schools like Padiham Primary School, St. Leonard's C of E Primary School, Padiham Green C of E Primary School, St. John the Baptist RC Primary School, St. Joseph’s Park Hill Convent Preparatory School or Shuttleworth College.

Junctions 8 and 10 of the M65, both around 2 miles from the town centre, give Padiham access to the motorway network. The nearest railway station is at Hapton, about 2 miles south. The nearest airport, Manchester, is 50 minutes' driving time from the town. The most convenient route is by public transport via Blackburn, then by train.

Padiham is a short distance from Burnley and Bowland Forest. It is a great small town which has all anyone could a need: history, unique architecture, good schools and places where you can peacefully enjoy nature. If your heart gets you to a place like Padiham, you can look for a home on DIY-Home-Selling.com such as this £225,000 3 bed home. Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth may have had reasons to move to Padiham, Lancashire – a town that still has Victorian charm, and so will you!

Reasons To Move To Otley, West Yorkshire

2011-06-28T14:48:00.000+01:00

Otley, West Yorkshire – if you want to have authentic English fun!

Otley is a market town by the River Wharfe in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire. With a population of 14,124 people, this town becomes a lively hub of activity on market days, as traders come from miles around to enjoy the open air market. For its size, Otley has a diverse range of cultural organizations and pubs. It is a town where it is impossible to get bored even if you try to. So there are plenty of good reasons to move to Otley, West Yorkshire – if you want to have authentic English fun!

Historically, Otley dates from before Roman times and its market history is documented in 1222 when King Henry III granted the first Royal Charter. The All Saints church is the first church built in Otley and it dates back in the 7^th century. Remains of two Early Anglo-Saxon crosses can still be found here and in the graveyard are buried the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the grandparents of Thomas Fairfax.

Once you visit Otley you will surely want to remain. Many famous people stepped on this ground and couldn’t resist coming back again. J.M.W. Turner, the famous painter visited Otley at the age of 22, when commissioned to paint watercolors of the area. He was so attracted to Otley and the surrounding area that he returned time and time again.

Also, the famous Methodist preacher John Wesley was a frequent visitor to Otley in the 18th century. His horse allegedly died here and is buried in the grounds of the parish church under the "Donkey Stone".

As said before, Otley is a rich cultural centre. There are five active Morris dance sides based in the town: Wharfedale Wayzgoose, The Buttercross Belles, Flash Company, Hellz Bellz and Kitchen Taps. Also, a number of active drama groups, including Otley Community Players, Otley Youth Theatre and a thriving arts centre. A poetry society attracts members from around the local area and they meet in the Black Horse Hotel monthly. The thriving Brass Band appears at many of the events in the town putting on a great show. It has many members who play no less than 6 trombones, 4 euphoniums and 7 tubas at the same time. The atmosphere around here can get you dizzy with all the events happening all the time, and we haven’t mentioned the festivals yet. Otley hosts the annual Otley Folk Festival in September as well as the popular Victorian Fayre in December. In June and in May is the Carnival which is the oldest one day agricultural show in the country. And of course, November’s beer festival where many musical representations are held and lots of beer is served.

There are currently 17 open pubs in Otley. The town even got the distinction of having the most pubs per head of population. You can have the best time singing, dancing and enjoying drinks around places like: The Spite, The Roebuck, The Chevin, The Royalty, The Black Horse or The Junction Inn. The Black Bull, situated in the town's Market Place, was drunk dry by Cromwell's troops on the night before the battle of Marston Moor during the English Civil War. It has a 15th century well in the beer garden.

Otley has a number of primary schools and a secondary school - Prince Henry's Grammar School. For further education, there is the Park Lane College Leeds - the Otley Centre.

The main roads for the town are the A660 to the south east, which connects Otley to Leeds city centre, Bramhope and Adel. The A65 to the west goes to Ilkley and Skipton. The A6038 heads to Guiseley, Shipley and Bradford. To Harrogate, the A659 heads east to the A658, which is the main Bradford-Harrogate road. From the A1, Otley is connected along the A659, and the M1 connects to Leeds via the M621. The M62 connects via Leeds or Bradford.

Unfortunately, Otley doesn’t have a railway station but a regular bus service runs from Menston station, which is on the Wharfedale Line from Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley. Also there are bus services for Weeton station on the Harrogate Line from Leeds and Harrogate. Otley is also close to Leeds Bradford International Airport and you can take the 757 bus service for a ride there.

You can get your own pub... sorry! ... house in Otley, like this £450,000 4 bedroom house near Otley listed on DIY-Home-Selling.com. There are plenty of good reasons to move to Otley, West Yorkshire – if you want to have authentic English fun!

Reasons To Move To Newbury, Berkshire

2011-06-28T13:15:00.002+01:00

Newbury, Berkshire – A Town Of Elegance And Charm

Located on the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, Newbury is a civil parish and the principal town in the west of Berkshire. With a population of 28,339 people, the town is divided through the centre by the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, while the River Lambourn forms its northern boundary and the River Enborne its southern boundary. The result is a town of elegance and charm and there are many reasons to move to Newbury, Berkshire, especially now they’ve got a bright new bypass! This is the place for crop circles.

Newbury’s centre boasts many 17th century buildings surrounding the beautiful church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The church was built in a perpendicular style by John Winchcombe and his son, in the early 16^th century. It has many amazing features and treasures from the past, also roof bosses and windows as memorials to the Winchcombe family. John Winchcombe, later known as Jack of Newbury, had a great impact over this town’s history, even England’s history. He built the first real factory in the country, here at Newbury. The town was a cloth-making centre as can be seen in the beautiful Jacobean property known as the Old Cloth Hall. The building situated on the Wharf now houses the West Berkshire Museum. Taking the tow-paths of the Kennet and Avon Canal, you will enjoy watching colorful river-craft, regal swans and whole families of ducks. You can also enjoy one of England's major racecourses - Newbury Racecourse - which has over 100 years of tradition. Donnington Castle is situated a couple of miles out of town, at the edge of Newbury, and on the banks of the River Lambourn you can find the Watermill Theatre.

The Mesolithic origins of Newbury are proven by the artifacts recovered from the Greenham Dairy Farm and the Faraday Road. The town was also the scene of two English Civil War battles in 1643 and 1644: the first and second Battles of Newbury.

To prove their prosperity and success, the citizen of Newbury built the elaborate Corn Exchange in the town centre. This building of the 19^th century was designed by J.S.Dodd, reflecting a special architectural elegance. Today, the Corn Exchange serves as a grand back-drop for the town's lively open-air market and a theatre with regular stage performances.

As for “recent” history, during the 20^th century Newbury served as a large airforce base for the military. During the World War II, the U.S. Airforce settled here a base for its bombers and tankers. In the 1980s, it became one of only two USAF bases in the UK equipped with ground-launched nuclear-armed cruise missiles, causing it to become the site of protests by up to 40,000 protesters and the establishment of the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp. Happily, the base was closed and much of the area was restored to heathland and nature.

Newbury has three main secondary schools and many independent schools nearby. The Newbury College offers a further and higher education funded by private finance initiative. Mary Hare School is a residential coeducational community special school for deaf pupils.

Newbury is situated on the River Kennet, the valley of which has always formed an important east–west water transport route, served by the Kennet and Avon Canal. Newbury railway station is situated in the centre of the town and has links from Reading to Newbury and Great Bedwyn or from London Paddington to the West Country. As for transport by car, Newbury is bypassed by the A34 road, also known as the Newbury Bypass. Until the completion of the bypass, the A34 and A4 met in the town centre at Robin Hood Roundabout, a famous complicated gyratory system. Other significant roads of Newbury include the A339 which now includes the renumbered part of the old A34 through the town centre and then heads towards Basingstoke and the M3 motorway, the A343 to Andover, the B4000 to Lambourn, and the B4494 to Wantage or the B4009 to Streatley.

Newbury is a town that boasts elegance and charm. If you want to be a part of this town’s admirable life and maybe are looking for reasons to move to Newbury, Berkshire, look up this 5 bedroom home on DIY-Home-Selling.com – a snip for £389,000.

Reasons To Move To Nantwich, Cheshire

2011-06-28T12:56:00.000+01:00

Nantwich, Cheshire – a place of lovely gardens

When speaking of Nantwich, it is impossible not to whet your appetite for the famous Cheshire cheese. Of course, this market town and civil parish of Borough Cheshire East is not only about cheese. But you have to admit that this is the first thing that is going to cross your mind when talking about reasons to move to Nantwich, Cheshire – a place of lovely gardens!

With a population of 12,515 people, Nantwich owes everything to its once famous salt-works. These salt deposits were the main reason the Romans decided to build a settlement here. They used the salt as a preservative and condiment for garrisons at Chester and Stoke-on-Trent. Nantwich had 216 salthouses, but the entire industry closed in 1856.

The town wasn’t spared by historical conflicts: the Normans burned the town to the ground and 200 years later Welsh marauders attacked it repeatedly. But the most tragic situation of all happened in 1583 when the Great Fire of Nantwich raged for 20 daysdestroying most of the town. Through the generosity of Queen Elizabeth I the town was rebuilt shortly after the disaster. Her Majesty helped with a donation of £2,000 and a countrywide appeal raised the sum of £30, 000. It was this gesture that brought the town of Nantwich back to life, permitting its development into what it is today.

The Churche's Mansion is one of the buildings which were spared by the great fire. Built just before the fire, in 1577, it is a lovely Merchants House timbered with fine oak paneling. One of Cheshire's finest churches, the church of St. Mary also survived the fire. Built in the 14^th century out of red sandstone, the church combines the Decorated and Perpendicular styles… its cruciform with a central octagonal tower being known as the central masterpiece of Cheshire. The third and the last building to survive the fire is the Sweetbriar Hall built in 1450. Other notable buildings are the 16^th century’s Queens Aid House a magnificent Tudor property which can be seen in the Square and the old Almshouses built in 1640 by Sir Edmund Wright.

Today’s Nantwich is a busy place of business and commerce that still manages to keep its unique Elizabethan flavour. During the year, Nantwich is a host for many festivals, which include an annual Folk festival and a Food festival. It has an acclaimed International Cheese Show, attended from Europe and other parts of the world.

The town has seven primary schools, two secondary schools, Malbank School and Sixth Form College and Reaseheath College which runs both further education and higher education courses (in conjunction with Harper Adams University College and the University of Chester). A new Sixth Form at Brine Leas opened in September 2010. The town is approximately 4 miles south-west of Crewe and 20 miles south-east of Chester at the meeting point of the A51, A500, A529, A530 and A534 roads.

Nantwich railway station is on the line from Crewe to Whitchurch, Shrewsbury and other towns along the Welsh border. The station is currently served mainly by stopping trains between Crewe and Shrewsbury.

Everyone visiting Nantwich are impressed by its beautiful gardens and by its elegant and ancient buildings. The jewel of Cheshire couldn’t have been more beautifully polished. There are home bargains to be had, like this 3 bedroom house in Nantwich for sale with DIY-Home-Selling.com, providing solid reasons to move to Nantwich, Cheshire – a place of lovely gardens!

Reasons to move to Maldon, Essex

2011-06-28T12:34:00.000+01:00

Maldon, Essex – A Place Of Peace And Ideal Beauty

There is no other estuary town to be compared with the charms of Maldon. Nicely set on a ridge above the Blackwater, this old town offers amazing views across Northey Island and Osea Island, harbouring a population of 15,513 people. A place of peace and ideal beauty, there are many good reasons to move to Maldon, Essex. This is the major town of the Maldon district and the starting point of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

The town of Maldon is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1096 as a significant Saxon port. From 958 there was a royal mint issuing coins for the late Anglo-Saxon and early Norman kings.

In the 10^th century, when most of the England was conquered by Vikings, the town of Malden became subject for the famous poem “The Battle of Malden”. This poem teaches us all a lesson about courage and sacrifice, heroism being the central issue of this masterpiece. The place where the battle was fought is marked by an imposing statue of Byrthnoth who died fighting here.

Maldon has a great reputation for hospitality. You will be charmed by the joy and kindness of its people. Taking a walk on the main streets, you can’t help but to notice the old houses or the Georgian buildings of Market Hill and High Street. An architectural masterpiece is the All Saints church of the 12^th century. The serenity and solemnity which you feel when visiting this place will remain in your memory and heart forever.

After a calm promenade on Maldon’s shingle beach, you can take a river trip with help from the Thames Sailing Barges and admire the swans which flow gracefully on the Blackwater. Maldon is the world’s foremost modern-day centre for Thames sailing barges, the badge of Maldon District itself is a Thames sailing barge. Here is the place where the charitable Maldon mud race is held every year around January the 1^st. It is a funny competition where the competitors have to race across the Blackwater estuary along the bank, and come back through the water. Movies like "The Lawless Heart” and "Murder Game" were filmed in Maldon. Moreover, in H. G. Wells' “War of the Worlds” it is the town from which the narrator's brother and two female companions manage to escape across the channel. The superheroes Psylocke and Captain Britain of the Marvel Comics Universe were born and raised in Maldon.

It would be ideal to have your own boat and travel to or from Maldon by water. But until you get your boat, the access by train or car is just fine. Maldon's railways links are a branchline to Witham and Woodham Ferrers on the Southminster–Shenfield line. As for transport by car, the A414 goes through Maldon from Chelmsford to Colchester.

Whether it is about solemn poems dedicated to England’s heroes or about comic’s most beloved superheroes, Maldon is the place where history enriches the modern days in the most charming way, providing ample reasons to move to Maldon, Essex – check out some of the property listed on DIY-Home-Selling.com like this £500,000 luxury home in nearby Raleigh, Essex – a place of peace and ideal beauty!

2011-06-28T12:13:00.000+01:00

Langport, Somerset – A Small Town for Big People!

Langport, a small town in Somerset is located 5 miles west of Somerton on the eastern side of the River Parret below the crossing point with the River Yeo (Ivel). A small town for big people, there are plentiful reasons to move to Langport, Somerset, not least of which are the reasonable home prices.

The town consists of two parts - one on the hill and one by the river, the first one serving as a defensive position for controlling the river crossing which made it an ideal spot for a Saxon fortress. Langport has a population of 1067 including the hamlets of Bowdens and Combe. The name Langport (or Langeberga, Langeport in the old English) appears to have several meanings. It could be Anglo-Saxon for "long port" or "long market place". Old Welsh sources mention a place called Llongborth (Ship-port) where the Battle of Llongborth happened. Also "Longphort" is an Irish term for a Viking ship enclosure or a shore fortress.

The main street of the town, Bow Street has some unique ‘tilt backwards’ buildings because of its settlement on the original Roman causeway. The presence of several villas leads us to believe that Langport had an important role during the Roman occupation.

One of the most notable events is the Battle of Langport on 10 July 1645 when the last Royalist field army was defeated ensuring Parliament victory in the Civil War. Langport is the birth place of famous Walter Bagehot, a businessman, essayist and journalist. The company he formed with George Stuckey owned 14 East Indiamen and 19 barges on the River Parrett. His literary works includes writings on literature, government, economic affairs and other matters.

John Thomas Quekett (1815–1861) an English microscopist and histologist was also born here. After studying medicine at the London Hospital in 1831 he became a licentiate of the Apothecaries' Company and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. He was founder of the Royal Microscopical Society in 1839 and was named conservator and histology professor of the Hunterian Museum in 1856.

The two landmarks, The Tudor House and The Warehouse in Great Bow Yard were restored by the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust. Nearby All Saints Church, a building known as The Hanging Chapel housed a grammar school (founded in 1675), then the Quekett museum. Later on The Hanging Chapel became a masonic hall.

The octagonal tower of All Saints Church dates from 15th century but the top section was rebuilt in 1833. Many interesting gargoyles, known locally as “hunky punks", guard the top section. The east window contains a set of 15th century glass depicting various saints, which was restored in the 19th century and is still one of the best preserved medieval windows in Somerset.

The old medieval bridge which made navigation impossible is now replaced with The Great Bow Bridge, a three – arched bridge completed in 1841. The River Parret flows under the bridge past Bridgwater to the Bristol Channel. Flooding may occur in winter in the low lying areas around Langport. Huish Episcopi Academy a mixed secondary school with academy status provides education for children between 11 -18 years.

The parish council is responsible for local issues while the Somerset County Council deals with the larger and most expensive services including social services, education, roads and transport, libraries and such. The Hatch Green Garage, Hatch Beauchamp provides bus service to Langport from Bridgwater with bus no. 16 everyday from Monday to Saturday. Reasons to move to Langport, Somerset, include this fine three bedroom home listed on DIY-Home-Selling.com for £220,000, which would make a lovely home in a small town for big people!

Reasons To Move To Maltby, South Yorkshire

2011-06-28T11:49:00.000+01:00

The Coal Rich Land Of Maltby

Maltby is a small town located in a rural area of the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham, about seven miles east of Rotherham on the A631 between Hellaby and Tickhill at the junction with the A634 from Blyth. It has a population of 17,247 inhabitants. With a history firmly rooted in the Roman period, Maltby is mentioned in the Domesday Book as “by-malt". There are good reasons to move to Maltby, South Yorkshire, not least of which are the affordable house prices in the coal rich land of Maltby.

For several centuries, Maltby was a place rich in agricultural land, when the area proved to be rich in coal deposits a mine was opened leading to a huge population growth from 500 people to nearly 17,000. In 1984-1985, Maltby colliery was the place where the mass miners protests started.

Today it is the only remaining open coal mine in Rotherham Metropolitan Borough.

Dating from 104 years ago, Maltby Main Colliery today has the most modern equipment and the highest quality coal extracted from Parkgate seam. The access to reserves is gained by two shafts, 2984m deep and 3991m deep, having the capability to wind up to 1,500 tons of minerals an hour. Around 520 people work in this mine.

The Miners' Welfare Institute or the "stute" as the locals call a working men club for miners is still open. In 2007 the colliery was bought by Hargreaves Services making it into the second biggest employer in the area. A large estate Maltby Model Village district was built east to the centre of the town in order to provide housing for the colliery workers.

Close to the colliery a munitions factory ROF Maltby was built during World War II, though now it is closed. Byford Maltby is a successful factory supplying knitwear for Pringle and used to be on the site where the new police station is now. Maltby railway station of the South Yorkshire Joint Railway functioned from 1910 until 1929. Nearby Maltby one can see what remained of Roche Abbey. The abbey was built in 1147 but ruined during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. All the records were lost.

Malby has a large Roman Catholic community, mostly Irish immigrants; there is even a Maltby Catholic Club, a working men club for Catholics. The Maltfriscans (Maltby Franciscans) are a small group which began with a bunch of young people from Maltby and some punk-rockers, having as inspiration St Francis of Assisi.

The town offers visitors a wide range of shops and businesses. In the place where once was a big indoor and outdoor market is a large Tesco. There are also some entertainment places in the town such as the White Swan, one of the oldest pubs in town, dating back to 17th century; The Queen's Hotel frequented by the Maltby Mortis and an outlaw biker motorcycle club. The "beck ball", some sort of rugby game where teams fight a turf war in the local stream was revived in the town in the mid ‘80s.

Maltby was once home of the tallest twins in Britain - Jonathan and Mark Carratt, who earned a mention in the 1980 Guinness Book of Records. The Chuckle Brothers were born here and Fred Trueman, an English cricketer one of the fastest bowlers in history was educated at Maltby Hall School. Fred used to commentate on Test Match Special, but sadly died in a house fire in 2011. He worked at the colliery as did his father.

Lynne Perrie, an actress who played the role of Ivy Brennan in Coronation Street was also born in Maltby, her brother Duggie Brown, also in the entertainment business, lived in Maltby until 1970. Bill Waddington, who played Percy Sugden, husband of Chuckle Brothers’ sister died in a retirement home in the centre of the town.

Writer and philosopher Julian Baggini lived in Maltby for six months while doing research for his book “Welcome to Everytown”.

Maltby Comprehensive School on Braithwell Road closed at the end of December 2009 but in January 2010 Maltby Academy opened. St Mary's Primary School is a Roman Catholic primary school in Maltby. An interesting town, there are good reasons to live in Maltby, South Yorkshire, so have a look at a home for sale in the area with DIY-Home-Selling.com and consider the coal rich land of Maltby.

Reasons To Move To Tavistock, Devon

2011-06-28T11:13:00.000+01:00

A Blessed Part of England - Tavistock

Tavistock's surroundings and the area near Dartmoor are rich in ruins from the Bronze and Iron Age, one of many reasons to move to Tavistock, Devon. In 1105, Tavistock monks received from Henry I a Royal Charter to run a "Premier Market" every Friday, a tradition which persists to this day. It became a Parliamentary borough in 1295 and in 1305 was designated by Edward I to be one of the first four cities rich in tin. In the 17th century, large quantities of cloth were sold weekly in the "Friday Market." And for the four holidays of Saint Michael, the Epiphany, Saint Mark, and the Decollation of John the Baptist, one fair was organized.

The history of the town is tied to the medieval Russell’s (later Duke of Bedford) time. The second title of Duke is the Marquis of Tavistock. 1859 remains the pinnacle of Tavistock's history for being the year when the railway came to town, linking the city with the Great Western Railway to London and the South Western Railway. After that, much of the city was restored, including the Town Hall, the Painnier Market, and the Abbey Bridge, which was widened by 7 feet by the 7th Duke of Bedford.

In 1877, Admiral Kelly Marwood Benedictus opened a co-educational public school for his predecessors as well for all orphans of naval officers. Bedford’s influence ended in 1911, and the Town Council claimed a large part of his wealth, which the family sold to pay its huge debts. In 1933 the city was provided with hydroelectric power.

Today, secondary education is provided by Tavistock College, a special Language College with a total of approximately two thousand students. In the north of the town, Kelly College is an independent school with around 350 students; Kelly College Preparatory School and Mount House Preparatory School are two additional independent colleges.

Tavistock is a small town that continuously provides shopping and entertainment for its residents. The Market continues to operate every Friday in the Pannier Market, and notable events in the city schedule include the annual Tavistock Goose Fair (which has been in operation since 1116) and the annual two day Food Festival in September.

Tavistock’s two railways stations have been closed, but the main station building survives as a railway-themed bed & breakfast accommodation known as B&B's. The yard is now known as Kilworty Park, and it houses the offices of the West Devin Borough Council. The Tavistock North railway area is open to the public as a footpath and nature preserve. A blessed part of England - Tavistock - and a great place to find a home. Plenty of good reasons to move to Tavistock, Devon.

Estate Agents Selling Just One Property A Week (unless you live in London)

2011-06-17T01:42:00.005+01:00

Apparently estate agents are selling just one home a week as the slump continues, even though the number of houses coming onto the market has increased. During the three months from March to May, the average estate agents sold 14.7 properties which divides down into just over one a week. During the peak of the property boom the average agency sold 40 homes every three months. Estate agents selling just one property a week (unless you live in London) is quite depressing.

In contrast number of properties coming on the market over the last month has increased from 66 to 71.3 which is the highest level since December 2008. It's a real problem for people who really need to move house, either because they can't afford the mortgage or because they have a new job in another region.

It seems as if buyers are becoming increasingly cautious as the economic uncertainty continues. The only city to buck the trend is London, but prices here are being influenced by overseas buyers. According to Savills, an incredible £3.7 billion worth of London property was bought by foreigners last year which equates to nearly one in three prime properties sold.

So what can you do if you're trying to sell? Make sure your property is correctly priced, as the important thing is to get people through the door and offers coming in. Keep it as immaculate as you can, and try to see it through prospective buyer’s eyes rather than as your own home. Estate agents selling just one property a week (unless you live in London) - we might feel sorry for estate agents, but not too sorry! We should feel more sorry for ourselves because we're not selling our homes either in this market.

Property Market Sees Increased Interest from First-Time Buyers

2011-06-10T18:24:00.004+01:00

Finally some good news, as residential mortgage valuation activity rose by more than 20% last month compared to May 2010, and activity has now increased for six successive months and is largely down to an influx of first-time buyers. During last month there were 26% more first-time buyers than a year ago and they now make up 34% of the market.

Some of this increased interest may be due to the number of higher loan to value products which have come onto the market recently, but many still face a challenge in getting mortgage funding.

Increased numbers of homeowners are choosing to remortgage, especially as competition between lenders is improving, which has led to more competitive fixed rates being on offer. This is no doubt due to the fear of increased interest rates, although the Bank of England has left them unchanged for the 27th month in a row due to the weak economy, and most experts don't predict an increase before the end of the year.

Buy to let investors are also jumping on the bandwagon, with many experienced property investors choosing to expand their portfolio this year due to growing demand for rental property. This demand looks unlikely to abate in the near future.

Looking to buy your first home? Read our guide on getting your first mortgage.

Got A Spare £75 MIllion? Then This May Be The House For You!

2011-06-06T15:01:00.000+01:00

Got a spare £75 million? Then this may be the house for you!

The most expensive house in the UK outside London has just gone on sale for £75 million. Updown Court , in Windlesham, Surrey, is in 58 acres of grounds, has 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad.

It's a neoclassical Californian style mansion which was built in 2002 and is currently owned by property developer Leslie Allen-Vercoe. His company, Rhymer Investments bought the property in 2002 for £20 million and has since spent another £30 million on renovations.

The house has 24 bedrooms and 23 bathrooms, and other attributes include a 50 seat cinema, two-lane bowling alley, squash court, Lake, gymnasium, wine cellar and the all essential 'panic room.' Neighbours include Brian May and Sir Elton John.

Several estate agents have been brought in to market the property. If a 2% commission was applied, some lucky estate agent would make off with £150,000. However, if Mr. Leslie Allen-Vercoe sold it himself through DIY-Home-Selling.com by listing his pile himself, he'd be £150,000 better off, even if he has got a bob or two to chuck around!

Buy to Let Part 2

How can I choose the best property?

The best way is to decide the kind of property you want to buy and the kind of tenants you are trying to attract. If you are buying a property that is aimed at young professionals then it needs to be near to a local train station, while a house aimed at a young family needs to be near good schools. If you wished to buy a house that will be rented out to several unrelated people then you may need to apply for a house of multiple occupation license.

An HMO licence can be obtained from the local council, and although it might seem like a lot of hassle these properties can give good rental yields. The cost of a licence is between £300 and £1000, and all need to be renewed every five years. Your property will also be regularly inspected to ensure it's up to current safety standards. These types of properties can be let out to students, young professionals or people on housing benefit.

Letting to people on housing benefit can produce high returns, especially as the types of properties required are often in less desirable areas, and changes to housing benefits from April 2012 could mean that more people are forced out of one-bedroom properties and into shared accommodation. According to the National Landlords Association a multiple occupation house will give the best rental returns. However it's not without its risks as these tenants can be more unreliable.

Council of Mortgage Lenders Downgrades Its Prediction for 2011

The Council of mortgage lenders has downgraded its prediction for the number of property transactions expected to take place this year. It is now expecting 840,000 transactions in 2011 which is 20,000 less than predicted in December 2010. However on a more positive note the CML predicted that sales would improve in 2012, rising to around 900,000. This might be good news for those wanting to sell property next year, but where does that leave people wanting to set up this year?

If your home has been on the market for quite some time, and you don't want to adjust the price then you are left trying to improve it to appeal to potential buyers. Now is the time to finish up all those niggling little DIY jobs that you have been putting off, and it's also a great idea to de-clutter.

After all, when you do sell, what is the point of packing up all that stuff if it's just going to sit around in boxes until you move again? Be a bit ruthless, and do consider going to a car boot sale or putting the stuff on eBay. You might be surprised at how much you can raise, and how liberating it can be. Having trouble selling? Get some great hints in this great eBook, Home Seller's Blues and How To Beat Them

What Is Happening about the Government's Green Deal?

2011-06-04T23:46:00.004+01:00

The Green Deal is expected to launch next autumn and will enable authorised companies to carry out installation work or energy efficient home improvements for homeowners up to a cost of £10,000.

Homeowners will then repay the money, including interest, through additional charges on their energy bills. However there are still a lot of legal and logistical issues that need to be sorted out before the scheme can be launched.

The government has yet to decide how much interest will be added to the loans, and legal changes are necessary to ensure the repayment scheme can run smoothly.

It's intended that the authorised companies will be able to employ energy assessors who will estimate how much a householder could save through extra insulation or home improvements. The idea is that homeowners should be able to save more on their energy bills then they pay back in loans.

It's a great idea, but it looks as if there is still an awful lot of work that needs to be completed before this scheme can be rolled out successfully. After the last couple of winters it's easy to imagine that a lot of people will be interested in trying to save money on energy bills. What do you think about this latest scheme? Is it a good idea or merely a pie in the sky?

Taransay Up For Sale For A Cool £2 Million

2011-06-04T00:12:00.006+01:00

The Hebridean island of Taransay is up for sale. The island shot to fame in the BBC Castaway series 11 years ago, and is uninhabited but does have a working sheep farm, red deer and holiday homes. The estate agent responsible for selling the island is promoting it as being ideal for the holiday letting, as it has well-stocked lochs and the herd of red deer could provide sustainable stalking.

The series was responsible for launching the TV career of Ben Fogle, and apparently he is now hoping to buy the island as he wants to preserve it and create a wildlife reserve and Marine Sanctuary with sustainable lodges for visitors. Ben is currently trying to put together a team of experts and investors to help him achieve this dream, and has also been using Twitter to raise awareness about his project. So far he has already been promised £250,000 from people around the world, and also intends to invest some of his own money.

Fogle re-visited the island last year, and spoke to the current owner who informed him that it was becoming increasingly difficult to make Taransay cost-effective. Ben's worst fears are that somebody will buy it and close it off to the rest of the world.

Reasons to move to Devizes, Wiltshire

2011-06-01T16:51:00.000+01:00

Devizes – Wiltshire’s Hidden Gem…

With a population of 11,296 people, Devizes – Wiltshire’s hidden gem, is also known as an important market location and a civil parish in southwest England. Serving as a large market place, a center for banks, shops and solicitors, Devizes has a small but steady economy. This town hosts some of the most important historic heritage in England, such as Devizes Castle built by Osmund Bishop of Salisbury in 1080, and Wiltshire Heritage Museum. This museum, also known as Devizes Museum, is one of the most precious jewels of England. It maintains collections of archeology, history, natural history and arts from Neolithic, Bronze, Roman, Saxon and Mediaeval ages. There is also a suite of prehistoric collection items from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site – a remarkable part of England’s cultural heritage. Stonehenge is located just a few miles away from Devizes. Because of its nearness to the premier prehistoric monument, Devizes has benefited from high levels of tourism.

As soon as you enter the small town of Devizes, you can’t help but notice the elegant architecture which marks the entire environment. Walking on St. John’s Alley you will enjoy the Tudor houses or the fancy ones of the 18^th century. The churches of St. John and St. Mary were built in the 12^th century and feature fine Norman work. It is a well known fact that the St. John church was built to serve the Devizes Castle and Pevsner describes it as the second best Norman church in all of Wiltshire, after Malmesbury Abbey.

The town has more than 500 listed buildings, which is a high number for such a small community. Brownston House, Heathcote House and Sputhbroom House, are just some of the buildings in Devizes listed as being of significant architectural interest.

A chalk and limestone horse figure was built in 1999 on Devizes Roundway Hill, to celebrate the new millennium. This figure replaces a similar one which was built here and lost in 1845.

Other main attractions in Devizes are the ancient market cross and the famous Bear Inn. The latter feature was built in 16^th century and has its own story. It seems that the landlord of this inn was the father of the painter Thomas Lawrence, when Fanny Burney paid a visit here in 1730.

The town’ primary schools include Nursteed, Southbroom, Wansdyke, St Peter's and St Joseph's Roman Catholic School. Devizes School, located in Southbroom House, is a comprehensive school with a specialist Sports College status. Long Street has had a substantial number of private schools, the town having a significant history in this area.

Looking to have fun in Devizes? That’s an easy task. Pubs like The Crown, The Drummer Boy, White Bear, The Four Seasons or The Kings Arms can make the night! As a tip, in the cellar of The Bear Hotel you can listen to the best live jazz in the Southwest.

Devizes is a fair distance from any motorways but many main roads pass through the town, including the A360, A361 and A342. The bus lines run only to the surrounding towns: Swindon, Salisbury, Bath and Chippenham.

The Kennet and Avon Canal runs through Devizes and the Caen Hill Locks are located in the town. Devizes is the starting point for the “Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon”, so you can easily get here by water too!

This small town of Devizes, Wiltshire has very much to offer, from history to entertainment, culture and sports and is very much Wiltshire’s hidden gem. Relocating here is a smart move and you will find many independently sold properties at DIY-Home-Selling.com, such as this 3 bedroom house in Devizes for £200,000.

It's all in the number

2011-05-28T18:56:00.002+01:00

According to Zoopla, homes numbered 13 are worth about £4000 less than identical properties in the same street, and some superstitious councils have even banned the number completely. Lewes and Herefordshire Councils don't allow this number to be used. Apparently a roads highest value properties are generally numbers one and two as these tend to be corner plots or end of terrace locations, and house prices supposedly decrease as the property numbers increase.

However the lure of buying a property for £4000 less than its neighbour may prove too much for those who don't suffer from triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13. If you already own a number 13 property then unfortunately you cannot change this number as it's illegal to do so in the UK. Perhaps your best option is to give your house a name which is still a hugely popular British custom.

This Morning presenter, Holly Willoughby is currently trying to sell her number 13 home in the SW 13 postcode area of London. Her best bet may be trying to sell the property to Italians and Sikhs, for whom the number 13 is lucky.

Mortgage rescue scheme condemned as a failure

2011-05-26T00:11:00.005+01:00

A report from the government's financial watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO) was published yesterday and condemned a mortgage rescue scheme which was launched in January 2009 as being an expensive failure. It was supposed to help homeowners being repossessed, but failed to help less than half the number expected, and also went £35 million over budget.

The idea was that vulnerable households could ask for an equity loan to reduce their monthly mortgage payments, or the alternative was to ask a housing association to buy their home while they stayed on as a tenant. According to the NAO most opted for the more expensive option of becoming a tenant. It was originally expected that 6,000 households would be helped by this scheme, but in the end just 2,600 households benefited at a cost of £240 million.

Why Mortgage Rescue Firms May Not Be A Good Idea...

The report went on to say that the Department for Communities and Local Government didn't adequately test the assumptions behind the scheme's business case, and that earlier intervention could have improved value for money. It vastly underestimated the need for the more expensive option of transferring ownership to housing associations compares to the relatively low cost mortgage rescue option.

No Interest Rate Rise Just Yet

2011-05-21T00:35:00.006+01:00

At the start of the year remortgaging accounted for 37% of all lending according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, as people were increasingly worried about the prospect of rate rises. All the information back then seemed to point towards the Bank of England raising rates within a few months.

However the gloomy economic news now makes it increasingly likely that interest rates won't rise before the end of the year. Howard Archer, economist at IHS Global Insight believes that the earliest interest rates could rise is November, and he`s not the only analyst to take this view.

Inflation rates are still higher-than-expected, but the Bank of England voted 6 to 3 to keep interest rates the same for yet another month as growth remains sluggish, and it's well aware that the economic recovery is still extremely fragile. This is all good news for homeowners and anyone looking to secure a new mortgage in the next few months, and it allows a bit of breathing space to shop around and pick the best deal. Take a look at our Guides and Resources page for lots of useful information.

Repossessions are rising and have increased by 15% during the past three months. Figures show that 9100 properties were taken back by lenders between January and March and it's been estimated that some 40,000 people could lose their homes this year, up from 36,300 in 2010. There are nearly 170,000 people who have mortgage arrears of at least 2.5% of their outstanding loan, but this is the lowest level since 2008, so it's not all bad news.