Living in Shipley

With a population of just over 15,000, Shipley is considered one of the best places to live in Bradford due to its thriving town life, its amenities and, of course, its location. It is situated on the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and is close to some great tourist attractions, parks and gardens and other interesting sights.

So, if you are thinking of moving to Shipley, you have definitely made the right choice. Of course, a lot of things come with living in historic market town and these include local amenities, house and rent prices and the local sights and sounds.

And when you’re searching for a property either to rent or to buy in this town, you’ll need qualified and professional estate and letting agents in Shipley to help you find your perfect spot to call home.

With a lot of considerations to think about when you move to the area, you may wonder – is Shipley expensive? And the answer is that prices in this civil parish are reasonable and fall within the averages for the region and are sometimes even lower.

And without further ado, let’s dive into all you need to know about Shipley so that you can make a more informed decision about your life here.

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Is Shipley safe to live in?

When it comes to safety in the town, you will naturally want to know if the town is safe to live in. The answer is that this medium-sized town has a crime rate of around 133 crimes per 1,000 people, as per data from 2022. This compares to the West Yorkshire regional average of 126 crimes per 1,000 residents, making it slightly higher than average at 4.9%.

And furthermore, regarding the type of people that live in Shipley, it’s worth knowing that the highest majority of the population is aged 35 to 49, making for quite a young spread, followed by those aged 50 to 64 years of age. Meanwhile, just over 43% of the population in the area has a tertiary education qualification while homeownership in the town comes at a bit higher than the national average. And with nearly 74% of residents in full-time employment, Shipley can be considered a variation of working and middle-class households.

Opening times

As for the general facilities’ hours of operation, it’s worth noting that the main opening times, particularly the library and the post office, are as follows:

Shipley Library opening times:

  • Monday: 09:00 – 19:00
  • Tuesday: 09:00 – 19:00
  • Wednesday: 09:00 – 19:00
  • Thursday: 09:00 – 19:00
  • Friday: 09:00 – 19:00
  • Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00
  • Sunday: Closed

Shipley Post office opening times:

  • Monday: 08:30 – 17:30
  • Tuesday: 08:30 – 17:30
  • Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:30
  • Thursday: 08:30 – 17:30
  • Friday: 08:30 – 17:30
  • Saturday: 08:30 AM – 16:00
  • Sunday: Closed

The postcode for the town centre is BD18, and there are different variations of this, depending on where in the area you live.

Things to do in Shipley

Moving to the area comes with questions such as what are some of the top things to do in Shipley? For example, you may be wondering what are the top attractions to visit. There are several answers to these questions, including three nearby parks and gardens, making the location well-suited for families with children.

However, if you are curious about what are the most popular things to do in Shipley with kids, then going bowling or visiting the Shipley Glen Tramway are some good options to consider. There are also different children’s amusement centres to visit, making this quite a family-friendly place. As for what are the best outdoor activities, take your pick between Roberts Park, Lister Park and St. Ives Estate.

Below is a list of several sights and attractions you can visit in or near the town:

  • Art centre – Salts Mill
  • Art gallery – Hockney 1853 Gallery
  • Art gallery – Cartwright Hall
  • Park and garden – Roberts Park
  • Park and garden – Lister Park
  • Park and garden – St. Ives Estate
  • Museum – National Science and Media Museum
  • Museum – Bradford Industrial Museum
  • Children’s amusement centre – Kidzplay
  • Children’s amusement centre – Little Daisy’s Soft Play
  • Bowling alley – Go Bowling
  • Tourist attraction – Shipley Glen Tramway
  • Brewery: SALT Beer Factory

What is Shipley famous for?

And because every location has something special about it, if you are wondering what is Shipley famous for, we’ve got the answer! Shipley is home to the village of Saltaire, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It incorporates the Victorian-era Salts Mill and associated residential district.

Climate

If you are wondering about the climate in Shipley, you’ll be pleased to know that the average temperatures – both highs and lows – are quite similar to the neighbouring regions.

For example, the months of January and February get temperature highs of up to 7° C, with average rainfall taking up around 12 days in both months. March sees highs of 10° C with 11 days of rain, while in April, temperatures start warming up to around 12° C.

The months of May, June, July and August see highs of 16° C, 18° C, 21° C and 20° C, with around nine days of rain per month.

As autumn rolls around in September, temperatures steadily start decreasing with highs of around 17° C, while October gets highs of around 14° C.

Things start cooling down significantly during November and December, with temperature highs of 10° C and 8° C, respectively.

Types of properties in Shipley

Shipley is a medium-sized town with a population of just over 15,000. As such, there is something here for everyone. Whether you are looking for a flat to rent or a house to buy or vice versa, you can find detached, semi-detached and terraced properties here, in addition to flats, cottages and other property types.

Shipley house prices

For those interested in the house prices when it comes to purchasing immovable property, you’ll be happy to know that prices are lower than the average for the region, at approximately £208,223.00.

Most properties sold in the area are semi-detached properties, going at average prices of £217,848.00. However, terraced properties sold for an average of £183,013.00 and flats for £116,786.00.

Shipley rent prices

Because prices will vary greatly depending on what you are looking for in terms of properties to rent, Shipley rent prices will differ, too. A three-bedroom semi-detached property will set you back nearly £1,200 per calendar month, while a flat can go for as little as £425 for one bedroom and rise to £600 for two bedrooms.

Schools and amenities

Wondering about Shipley schools and amenities? In terms of schools, the location is known for Low Ash Primary School and Wycliffe CE Primary School, the former of which has a rating of “Good” by Ofsted.

For the younger children, you might consider kindergartens such as Ashmoor Private Day Nursery & Pre-school, Sunbeams Nursery or Farfield Private Nursery. Serving the area’s healthcare needs is the Shipley Community Hospital, while safety and security are taken care of by West Yorkshire Police.

Moving to Shipley made easy 

Whether you’re looking for a greater work/life balance, a quiet town life with village vibes or you’re after the community spirit that comes with living in the area, your move to Shipley is now a breeze. To help you find the perfect property for rent or to buy here, let our experienced and knowledgeable estate and letting agents in Shipley assist you in finding exactly what you are looking for at the right location and for the right price. Our experienced estate and letting agents in North West Leeds are always here for you and ready to answer any questions you may have. Simply get in touch with us!

Arrange a free market appraisal

Whether you’re a landlord, you’re looking to sell or you’re just interested in how much your property might be worth, the best way to get an accurate and detailed understanding is through a free one-to-one appraisal with one of our experienced local agents. Request an appraisal with your local office using the form below.

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