Burton On Trent guidebook

  pic: Burton Town Centre
Burton is the beer town that's brewed itself into a boom town. It's already one of the fastest growing towns in the West Midlands and now - by Government order, no less – it is set to grow even faster!

Yes, Downing Street has decreed that "Beer town" should be a "growth point" for housing, which means more than 6,000 new homes are scheduled to be built here over the next two decades.

Most people know Burton for its three B's - Beer, Bovril and Branston (of pickle fame).

But all that's changed and now there are only five breweries left, with only two of them being big national brewers. And although Branston Pickle has moved out, the makers of Bovril and Marmite are still here - and dozens of new companies have moved in.
 
Thousands of new jobs have been created, mostly from distribution and service industries, thanks to the town's unique position in the heart of Britain, right at the junction of the A38 north to south road and the A50 cross country road.
 
Burton is one of the change-round success stories of Britain. Millions of pounds have been poured into the town in recent years, creating industrial estates, new homes and three shopping malls. 

And there's still more development to come with the Government's twenty year plan to build thousands of new houses here.

So what's it got going for it apart from the multitude of new jobs and a housing blueprint?

Well, Burton is a small town with the River Trent running through it, countryside on the doorstep, and great commuting and leisure opportunities. 

It's an easy place to get around, and no matter what kind of home you're looking for, practically every shape, size and price of property is within ten minutes of the town centre.

There's only one thing you'd have to get used to: with beer, Bovril and Marmite all simmering away, there's often an "aroma" drifting across the town!

Some people like it; it sends others running for the hills. But if you can overlook the unusual fragrance, it's a growing town with a bright future.

Property Market in Burton

According to the council, of the 48,000 people in Burton, a quarter live in detached houses, 28 per cent live in semis and the same amount occupy terraced homes.

Twelve per cent live in bungalows and seven per cent in flats.

Most are a maximum of ten minutes' drive from the town centre, so all the shops and facilities are easily accessible.

Lots of people are moving in to the town, attracted by the new jobs, the travel links, the housing development, and general growth.

And, because it's a well established place with not much room for expansion, most of the new houses will have to come from the old industrial sites which can only be good news for the overall appearance.

The builders have been busy already, mostly on town centre apartments, with some sporadic construction in little plots on the edges.

Areas in and around Branston

1. The Town Centre

  pic: Terraced housing
Where is it? This is the area spreading out in all directions around the town centre.

It's a tightly knit district where the thousands of terraced houses still dominate the streets. Recent years have brought about a big surge of apartment and town house building on reclaimed industrial sites.

What's there? Virtually all terraced homes apart from the new-builds. Reasonably priced, good size Victorian and Edwardian properties interspersed with the shops.

Buyers: People tend to stay in this part because they like town centre living. The new influx is mostly young professionals who like to live in the heart of the town and everything it has to offer.

Pros: Everything - river, shops, cinema, pubs and clubs - all within minutes.

Cons: There are 3,500 pre-1919 terraced houses in the town centre alone, and many of them are in need of renovation. Millions of pounds have already been poured into revamping the properties, but more is needed.

Parking is a nightmare in the narrow terraced streets. And the cost of town centre property has rocketed over the last ten years as it has become a magnet for young couples.

2. Winshill

  pic: 1960s semi-detached
Where is it? It's on the hill overlooking the town, across the River Trent on the A511 towards Swadlincote and Ashby.

What's there? One of the old parts of town, it's grown with the place. Half of it is a former council house estate which is now run by a housing association.

The other half is a private mix of 1930s terraces and cottages through to big 1960s traditional semis and detached to modern substantial four- and five-bedroom homes.

Some stunning properties overlooking the river and town.

Buyers: Tend to be upmarket families and professionals with a few bob. Some posh postcodes so certain parts have a premium price.

Pros: Sought-after area, only minutes away from the town. Fabulous views and riverbank walks.

Cons: The ex-council estate has a few pockets of social deprivation which can put people off.  But if you can see through that, this is a great place to live and the ex-council properties offer affordable housing.

3. Stapenhill

Where is it? Directly across the river from the town centre, bordered by the river and Stapenhill Gardens recreation grounds, and the A444 towards Ashby and the M42.

What's there? A complete mix, from terraces to council houses, right up to modern homes.

Buyers: Also a real mixture. Families who want affordable housing, and closeness to the town and its facilities, and young couples who can buy a terraced house as their first home.

Pros: Great spot. Close enough to walk into town, but it also has its own shops. Wonderful walks along the river bank. Self-contained little community.

Cons: It does look tired in some parts and could do with a bit of TLC, but people like living here.

It's a bit of a traffic nightmare in the rush hour when people from the outskirts pour in and out.

4. Branston

Where is it? On the edge of town down Branston Road towards the A38, where the famous pickle was invented.

What's there? Big new estates of fairly modern semis and detached. Not much in the way of terraced homes. Has its own country club, golf course and water park.

Buyers: These are all family homes so the buyers are predominately families with young children.  It also attracts newcomers moving in to the town for work.

Pros: Popular area. Big, tree-lined estates with lots of amenities including its own comprehensive school and plenty of green spaces. Close to the river and Trent and Mersey canal runs through it.

Cons: The commuter link from the busy A38 into town runs right through the middle, so the road in rush hour is a nightmare. There is also a big distribution centre right in the middle, which adds to the traffic headache.

But if you're cycling or walking, it's just five minutes from the town centre.

5. Horninglow and Outwoods

  pic: Bungalow
Where is it? Set on either side of the A511 Tutbury Road.

What's there? Mostly terraced and ex-council areas with some pockets of semis and bungalows.

Lots of old terraces were cleared in the 50s and replaced with semis. Biggest neighbour is the large Queens Hospital.

Buyers: Wide mix of properties attracts all sorts of buyers. Long established district so it has a good proportion of retired or mature couples, as well as youngsters drawn to the terraces close to work and the town centre.

Pros: Good, affordable housing which is close to town and the hospital.

Cons: Parking is tough here around the terraces but not so bad for the semis. Traffic is a problem around the hospital.

6. Tattenhill and Rangemore (better known as Needwood);

and Rolleston and Eggington

  pic: New build detcahed houses
Where is it? Needwood is out through Branston, across the A38 and head for Abbots Bromley.

Rolleston and Egginton are further along the A38 and off on the left.

What's there? Pretty little villages within commuting distance of the town.

Not many terraced houses, virtually all semis and detached ranging from very, very old to modern, and big, big expensive mansions. Lots of barn conversions.

Pros: If you like country living close to the town, this is it. They all have their own pubs, but that's about all in facilities.

Cons: Can be pricey and a car is a must. Can also be a pain getting into town in the rush hour, but country living makes up for the daily drudge behind the wheel.

There are primary schools close by but for secondary schools children need to take a bus or get a lift.

 7. Stretton

  pic: Purpose-built apartments
Where is it? Big estate just up the A38 out of town on the left hand side. Spreads underneath the A38 on both sides. A long road, Britannia Drive, runs right through it.

What's there? The last new-build area when the town was spreading out. Modern terraces, semis and detached. Little build projects that have joined together into one big estate.

Pros: Has its own shops, surgery and facilities but is also close enough to enjoy the town's amenities.  Good value for money housing.

Cons: It is what it looks like: a big estate of modern homes of all sorts. If you live close to the A38, the noise can be a pain.

8. Brizlincote Valley

  pic: Detached house
Where is it? On the edge of town going down the A444 Ashby Road, through Stapenhill and just off  Violet Way to the left.

What's there? Fairly new estate which consists of semis and detached houses of all shapes and sizes – building started in the 50s and is still continuing in parts.

Buyers: Privately owned family homes in good postcodes which attracts people moving in to the area and those moving upmarket.

Pros: Sought-after part with its own schools. Far enough out of town to be self-contained, but still close enough.

Cons: On the outside of town so you need a car.  It can be a pain to get into town in the rush hour across a busy island that feeds into the main road.

9. Barton Under Needwood

Where is it? A little village a few miles out of town, down the A38 towards Birmingham.

What's there? A self-contained community. One olde world terraced street rubbing shoulders with a big estate of semis and detached built from the 60s onwards. There are some big detached houses and VERY expensive mansions.

Buyers: Families who want village living. A few shops, five pubs, and lots of fields. Close enough to commute into Burton. People tend to stay here so there is a maturing population.

Pros: Real Olde Worlde village. Own schools, including a good high school. It's a place where you make friends and stay.

Lots of local activities, including an annual scarecrow competition.

Cons: High on people's wish list so can be pricey. Need a car to get around.

Living Here

Transport:

Trains: Burton has its own main line station right in the centre of town with good parking. Lots of trains northwards to Derby just minutes away and southwards to Birmingham. Plenty commute into "Brum" from here.

Buses: Buses stop right in the middle of the pedestrianised town centre, with regular good services to every district around town, and nearby cities including Derby and Nottingham.

Road: The A38 links with the A50 and the M1, and the M42 is on the edge of town. Perfect for the distribution and warehousing operations that have moved in.

Derby is just 12 miles away straight up the A38 and Birmingham is 31 miles in the opposite direction, about an hour's journey.

Air: East Midlands International airport (EMA) is twenty miles away, about thirty minutes drive.

Shopping: 

  pic: Shops In Burton
Burton was voted the third best shopping town in Staffordshire. There are three good new shopping malls filled with high street chains.

Little daily indoor market with twice weekly open market, and lots of little shops set around the pedestrianised town centre. Two big superstores in the centre with another on the edge.

New shopping park opened on the edge of town with mutiplex cinema, restaurants and a huge Matalan.

There's not far to stagger with your bags either because there are plenty of car parks spread across the town centre.

Most of the surrounding areas also have their own little shopping centres.

Eating and Drinking:

  pic: pub in Burton
Eating: Plenty of diversity from the multi-cultural to the traditional.

Restaurants for every taste, including two Chinese as much as you can eat buffets, American diner, and stacks of pub grub. Good range of traditional cafes through to fashionable coffee bars.

Drinking: The growth of the town centre college has spawned a burst of trendy bars.

Some are big, others small and intimate but they do tend to come and go...so watch out for the next new opening.

The most stable pub option is the traditional sort, of which there are plenty in the centre and in the outlying districts.

Sports:
 
Semi-professional Burton Albion football club has a new stadium on the edge of town.

Sports centres at Meadowside in the town centre (two swimming pools and lots of indoor courts) and Shobnall, on the outskirts.

Uttoxeter racecourse is nearby.

Leisure and Entertainment:

There is a nine-screen Cineworld on the Middle Park retail complex in Guild Street in the town centre.

The Brewhouse theatre is next to Sainsbury's in Duke Street.  This friendly local arts theatre has professional and amateur shows of all shapes and sizes.

Marston's Brewery tours, home of the famous "Pedigree" ale, are a popular attraction.

Parks and Open Spaces:

Burton has plenty of parks and open spaces but the main ones are:

Branston Water Park, off the A38 at Branston, with forty acres of water park for surfers, model boaters and wildlife.

Trent Washlands provide stunning riverside walks alongside the River Trent just off the city centre.

Stapenhill Gardens has planted gardens, walks and play activities, and is on the other side of the river.

Anglesey Park has a skateboard event every year.

Barton Turns Canal Marina at Branston has shops, a restaurant and a bar next to the canal boats.