The densely populated area of Braunstone is brimming with community and culture, thanks to radical regeneration and financial input.
Situated just to the south-west of Leicester city centre, the district is split into three main parts: the Braunstone Estate in the north; the Braunstone Town private housing estate; and the recent development of Thorpe Astley.
In the late 1990s, the Braunstone Estate's deprived status led to a substantial £49.5 million of government funding being awarded. Subsequently, new homes have lifted the district's profile, their stunning, modern designs and close proximity to the motorway a major selling point.
And a new library and resource centre, community venue, and large leisure complex are just some of the additional modern amenities to enjoy.
But aside from the major improvements of recent years, there is much history to promote the area.
Walking through the town, it’s not hard to imagine Braunstone was once forest. The green space, mature trees, and general ‘natural’ feel are evident, despite its 'property dense' persona.
Period architecture is prominent; a small glass of wine at the wonderfully thatched Shakespeare Public House, in Braunstone Lane, and I’m whisked away to days past.
The Grade II listed building boasts original features such as handsome timber frames from the 1600s, and is noticeably adored by the locals.
And these locals, some 16,000 of them, are a pleasant bunch who are involved in everything from Scouting and Guiding to social groups and societies for young and old, many of which meet in the modern Braunstone Civic Centre in the heart of the area.
Churches are also plentiful across Braunstone, and are paramount to community life in this vast yet closely connected district. There are also several primary schools and a secondary in Braunstone Town.
Property in Braunstone
Braunstone was substantially extended in the early twentieth century, to create the first of Leicester’s large council housing estates as well as private homes.
In 1935, the area containing social housing was annexed by Leicester City Council as the Braunstone Estate.
The remainder of the build retained the parish of Braunstone title, but was renamed in 1977 as Braunstone Town, and comes under the jurisdiction of Blaby District Council, as does Thorpe Astley. The two Braunstone areas are separated by Braunstone Lane.
Leicester Forest East is a separate district which, contrary to its name, is located to the west of Braunstone and Leicester City centre.
Here's a brief look at what's available in each:
1. Braunstone Estate
Where is it? North of Braunstone Lane.
What’s there? Substantial 1930s terraced town houses and semi-detached properties are en masse here, and in terms of their size, put today’s boxy new builds to shame.
These offer some of the best value for money homes in the district, and many of these former council homes are now privately owned.
In the 1990s, the area’s deprived status led to the Braunstone Estate receiving £49.5 million of government funding through the New Deal for Communities regeneration scheme, and there has been significant improvement since.
Buyers: First-time buyer heaven; similarly, investors snap up property here.
2. Braunstone Town
Where is it? South of Braunstone Lane.
What’s there? In the 1930s, Turnbull Building Co and Sons, established private semi-detached housing in the area, and the start of the estate, now known as Braunstone Town, was born.
Turnbull Drive was named after the company, while Edward Avenue and Francis Avenue represent the sons of the owner.
Braunstone Lane and Pits Avenue feature large detached properties, which are rarities in older Braunstone, and often sell for a premium.
Many buildings from much earlier than the 1930s exist in the heart of the former village including the old school house, the Shakespeare public house in Braunstone Lane, the former village shop and some private homes.
To the south of Braunstone Town, semi-detached properties - again predominantly 1930s - can be found the length and breadth of Kingsway, and smaller streets such as Stonehurst Road and Fernhurst Road. This popular residential area is close to Ravenhurst Primary School.
Southside is modern housing estate created on the site of the former Jones and Shipman Engineering works – once the biggest employer of residents from both Braunstone Town and Braunstone Estate.
Properties in Southside include three-bedroom mews style homes, townhouses, semis and substantial, Georgian-inspired, four-bedroom detached houses.
Buyers: Professionals and families, some first-timers and investors.
3. Thorpe Astley
Where is it? West of Braunstone Town, Thorpe Astley is a thriving community in its own right, but is still within the Braunstone catchment. It, like Braunstone Town, comes under the remit of Blaby District Council.
What’s there? Building on the Thorpe Astley housing estate commenced around 15 years ago and is now approaching completion.
It is one of the most sought-after developments in the area, thanks to a combination of homes which vary in style and aspect, plus intelligent planning which has created plenty of cul-de-sacs and open spaces.
Aside of the pharmacy and convenience store already open on the estate, planners hope to build an environmentally-friendly community centre to provide for the social and sporting needs of the residents, as well as space for the police and doctors.
Aside of neighbouring Leicester Forest East, this attractive new estate boasts some of the area's most expensive housing, in streets such as Jewsbury Way, Tuffleys Way, Smart Close, Slade Close and Home Avenue.
Property includes FOGs (flats over garages) and apartments, two-bedroom terraces, three-storey townhouses, three and four-bed semi-detached homes, and substantial detached houses with double garages, conservatories, and landscaped gardens.
Currently under construction but close to completion are the last remaining homes at The Elms and Fox Meadows.
Buyers: Everyone from singles and couples of varying ages, to young and established families, professionals and retired people.
And, of course, investors, who jump at the two-bed semis, flats and townhouses; Thorpe Astley has a busy rental market.
4. Leicester Forest East
Where is it? A popular, and somewhat prime property area, west of Braunstone and Leicester City centre.
The parish stretches along the Hinckley Road (A47) and to the south-east and also to the north-east and west of the M1 motorway.
What’s there? Leicester Forest East is a relatively new settlement, constructed between 1920 and 1985; it is home to around 6,500 people and is known as a commuters' residence.
Property here is, in most parts, substantially more expensive than Braunstone. Streets which command premium prices include Beggars Lane, Pleasant Close, Forest House Lane, Brickman Close, Excalibur Close, Begonia Close and Yew Close, to name but a few.
Here, homes are large, and mostly detached, on generous plots with substantial gardens and double garages.
The area also has plenty of semi-detached houses and bungalows. Streets across the parish such as Queens Drive, Rushmere Walk, Lancelot Close, Packer Avenue, Kennedy Way, and Grange Avenue are perfectly pleasant and ideal for families.
Buyers: Families, favouring the local primary schools, and commuting professionals.
Living in Braunstone
Transport:
Road: A commuters' heaven, Braunstone lies south of the City of Leicester and adjacent to the M1/M69 Junction 21.
Bus: Bus services run from Braunstone, Thorpe Astley and Leicester Forest East into Leicester city centre, and to Fosse Park Shopping Centre.
Train: Leicester and Narborough train stations are both under 15 minutes' drive from Braunstone and the surrounding area.
Air: The closest airport is East Midlands, around 30 minutes' drive, while Birmingham is a little further, but still only around 50 minutes away.
Shopping:
Braunstone features a number of thriving local shopping areas with a range of amenities.
Shopping parades can be found on the Turnbull Road/Edward Avenue crossroads, in Watergate Lane, Cyril Street and Ayston Road, and Henley Crescent, Bidford Road, Sun Way and Wardens Walk.
You can find all sorts from a beauty and health boutique, to hairdressers, a wedding dress shop, video store, grocer, pet food and tool hire.
Due to its location, Braunstone has also attracted large scale commercial developments including the Meridian Leisure Park, Fosse Park and Grove Farm Triangle Shopping Centre. Stores include Next, BHS, Marks and Spencer, Monsoon and River Island, plus Sainsbury's and Asda.
Leicester city centre and Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre are also close by.
Outlets in the Leicester Forest East parish include a Co-op supermarket, Sainsbury’s Local, newsagent, Post Office, bank and butcher.
Eating and Drinking:
Pubs in the area include The Shakespeare Public House in Braunstone Lane, and Winstanley Arms at The Glade.
There are two pubs with hotels that serve food in Leicester Forest East, both handily situated on the A47. The Forest Park Inn is a recently-refurbished family pub, while The Red Cow is a much older establishment.
Thorpe Astley has a pub called The Bees Knees, and opposite, a reputable Beefeater bar and restaurant named The Observatory.
The Meridian Leisure Park features a Chinese restaurant and takeaway, a Chiquitos Mexican restaurant, Frankie and Benny’s Italian/American diner, and a Pizza Hut.
A host of takeaways across the area include kebab and fish and chips, pizza, Chinese, Indian, and burger bars.
Sports:
The Braunstone Leisure Centre on Hamelin Road is a £10 million state-of-the-art leisure complex with two swimming pools, a health and fitness suite and a six-court sports hall. There’s also a well-equipped crèche and a café bar.
Winstanley Community College in Kingsway North also offers an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, five-a-side football, basketball, tennis, sports field, table tennis, volleyball, and all weather pitches.
Other activities taking place in the area are cheerleading, yoga, Ladies keep-fit, Chinese Physicla culture including cultural arts - Lishi, Kai Men, Dao Yin, Feng Shou, Qi Shu, Tai Qi and Kung Fu.
In Leicester Forest East there is a Rugby Football Club, and a Fitness First gym off Beggars Lane.
Parks and Open Spaces:
Braunstone Park is situated on the A47 Hinckley Road. The Braunstone Estate is dominated by the park, one of the largest in the city, which is a mix of established woodland and meadows with two lakes.
The Gooding Avenue entrance houses the main gates for the driveway up to Braunstone Hall - a fabulous grade II Georgian listed building.
The 168 acre park has a visitor/information centre, a memorial dedicated to the US 82nd Airborne Division, azalea gardens, play areas and lakes.
A prominent feature of Braunstone Town is the wide Kingsway which features a large village green at its heart, running the entirety of the street.
Leisure and Entertainment:
In Braunstone, the New Deal initiative has stimulated a series of improvements including a library and learning complex called The BRITE Centre - a £3million development with community centre, function rooms, cafe and creche.
There is also the multi-purpose community centre, Braunstone Civic Centre, in Braunstone Town, at the end of the Kingsway.
The Meridian Leisure Park next to Thorpe Astley has been a welcome addition. It has a multi-screen cinema, bowling alley, children’s soft play area, a David Lloyd leisure centre, and a plethora of restaurants and takeaways, and attracts a good number of out-of-town visitors.
Other popular nearby attractions include Gorse Hill City Farm, where visitors can feed and pet small animals.
The National Space Centre, the UK’s largest attraction dedicated to space, and the National Gas Museum - a fascinating insight into the story of gas, past and present – are both close at hand.