Alfreton guidebook

  pic: Alfreton town centre
Alfreton is just 20 miles – or 30 minutes – from the cities of Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield, which has led to its growing popularity among commuters looking for affordable living costs but access to city opportunities.
 
Although this ex-coal town took a big hit when local mining died, it has come back fighting. The mines have been replaced by seven industrial estates which have created thousands of local jobs, and Alfreton appeals to companies due to its location right next to the A38 and mere minutes from Junction 28 of the M1.

Not that Alfreton is all about commuters and industry: this small, albeit fast-growing, town has rebuilt itself into a great place in which to live and work, and everything it has to offer is within walking distance.

There's half a mile of shops in the centre of Alfreton ranging from independent stores like 'Bling' to well-known names such as Argos and Woollies, and a handful of central pubs.
 
There are also two shopping precincts, a pedestrianised area in Institute Lane, and the recent addition of a Tesco superstore which is half the size of a football pitch.

Although you'd have to venture into one of the nearby cities for an extra special shopping item, a recent council survey revealed that 80 per cent of residents said that Alfreton was perfect for everyday needs.

A new medical centre is on the cards and the Riddings Community Centre, opened by Princess Diana in 1992, plays an active role in the town's life.

If you're after a friendly town with a village feel and great value for money, you can't go wrong here. But it's not trendy, it's solid and traditional, and a great place to bring up children.

Property in Alfreton

Three-quarters of housing stock in Alfreton is owner-occupied, and Victorian terraces are the most common property type.

People who live here tend to stay here, and there's a good turnaround of houses, as families and couples move up or downsize.

New builds are in short supply, with just a few starter apartments springing up in the town.  The many terraced miners' houses tend to be an affordable price, and are popular with couples and investors.

There's a real shortage of private houses to rent, with one estate agent only having a single landlord on his books.

That may be about to change however, as increasing numbers of investors are snapping up properties as they realise the potential of the town.

Areas in and around Alfreton

1. Town Centre

  pic: Alfreton town centre
Where is it? The central area enveloping the High Street shopping area and King Street, where Alfred the Great was reputed to have lived – hence the town's name.

What's there? Virtually all Victorian terraced houses, rubbing shoulders with a few semis and detached properties that have filled in the gaps.

Just off the town centre in Alfred Street and Long Meadow Road is a small estate of mostly bungalows with a handful of detached and semi-detached homes.
 
Buyers: Families moving up from terraces, and a high proportion of more mature residents who like bungalow living.

Pros: Next to the town centre so everything is within walking distance. Quieter area off the centre suits older residents.

Cons: More for the mature person who wants a peaceful life rather than families with youngsters.

2. "The Elms"

  pic: Semis in The Elms
Where is it? These are the two fair-sized council estates on the Nottingham and Mansfield Roads heading out of town, loosely called the Elms end by locals.

What's there? Well-built post-war council houses, many bought and improved by their owners.

Buyers: Families looking for affordable, good-sized houses.

Pros: Sturdy, well-built houses, many of them improved, on attractive estates.

Cons: A bit of a walk from town, and the estates, although not bad, are slightly dated.

3. Alfreton's Bigger Detached Properties

  pic: Detached house in Limes Avenue area
Where are they? They tend to be found around Limes Avenue, Wingfield Road, Salmon Lane and Ewart Avenue.

What's there? Upmarket tree-lined roads with three- to five-bed detached houses and semis.

Buyers: Affluent professionals.

Pros: Some stunning properties set in the upmarket parts of town.

Cons: Starting to get pricey.  A car is a must because all of these roads are on the edge of town.

4. Swanwick

  pic: Semis in Swanwick
Where is it? About a mile across the A38 from Alfreton town centre.

What's there? A few terraced houses built around the centre of the hamlet, but mostly larger detached and semis spreading out into the countryside.

Buyers: Families who want to be away from the centre but close enough to the town's amenities and countryside views.

Pros: Pretty little village with a few shops. Stunning views of the countryside.

Cons: You need either a car or sturdy shoes: it's a windy walk into the town centre.

5. South Normanton

  pic: Victorian terraces in South Normanton
Where is it? About two miles east of Alfreton, built up around the mines. 

At one time, virtually every male from these parts worked at the pit; the last one closed in 1969.

What's there? Mostly Victorian terraced houses built around the central shopping street. Some new housing has sprung up in the town centre.

Buyers: South Normanton born-and-bred people who tend to stay in the village.
 
Pros: Friendly community area with affordable houses. It's now really cleaning up its act after once being voted Derbyshire's dirtiest village.

Cons: Tends to be dated with not much in the way of new builds apart from one estate.  You need a car to get around.

6. Shirland, Higham and Westhouses

  pic: Bungalows in Westhouses
Where are they? Three small, picturesque villages about two miles outside Alfreton, off the A61 Chesterfield Road.

What's there? A real housing mix: terraced, new semis and detached, and some beautiful stone houses worth up to half a million.

Buyers: Mostly families looking for village life but not far from amenities.

Pros: Attractive properties and stunning views. There is a primary school in Westhouses and a few local facilities.

Cons: Definitely a car area, and prices are on their way up.

7. Somercotes and Riddings

  pic: Detached houses in Sommercotes
Where are they? These former industrial villages are past Swanwick on the Ripley and Derby Road.

What's there? Mainly Victorian terraced, but a good mix of semis and some upmarket detached homes.

Buyers: Families looking for good homes at affordable prices.

Pros: Good value for money, close to amenities, welcoming communities.

Cons: Although these are villages, there are a lot of commuters which gives a more suburban feel.

Living Here

Transport:

Rail: Alfreton Station is just outside town on Mansfield Road and is on the Nottingham to Chesterfield line.

There's also a daily service to London, and Manchester is just 90 minutes away.

Buses: Great bus services. New bus station right next door to Tesco, with several bus companies serving the town and neighbouring areas.

Road: Easy access to the A38 and M1 (Junction 28).

Air: East Midlands Airport (EMA) is four junctions down the M1, approximately 26 miles away.

Shopping:

  pic: Shop in Alfreton
Tesco dominates the town, but there are more than 150 other shops, mainly the traditional, independent type which have been in families for generations, and a few chain stores.

The shopping heart envelopes two shopping precincts in Severn Square and the pedestrianised Institute Lane.

There is also an antique centre and an indoor market four days a week.

Parking in Alfreton is cheap (pay for an hour and get one free at lunchtimes) and there are 450 spaces at Tesco. Council parking is free for residents after 4pm.

Designer factory shops are abundant in the area, and there is a big outlet centre featuring lots of high street stores at Junction 28 of the M1.

Eating and Drinking:

Predominately pub food, but also some Chinese, Indian and takeaways.

Traditional English food is available in a couple of good restaurants and in the mock Tudor pub, "Ye Olde MacDonald's Farm" in the town centre.

Sports & Leisure:

Alfreton Leisure Centre, in Church Street, is undergoing a massive multi-million pound refurbishment. 

It offers all kinds of activities, including a six rink bowls hall, dancing and fitness classes, a gym and a sports hall for badminton, football and basketball.

Alfreton Park, just off the town centre, has some pretty walks and activities close at hand.

There are plenty of local sports clubs in Alfreton including football, ladies' football, cricket, golf, sub aqua and tennis.