Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Property in Castleford

Perfectly situated to guarantee easy access to Leeds and Pontefract yet with plenty to offer in its own right, the town of Castleford in West Yorkshire is popular with house buyers of all ages. Its history may date back to Roman times, but Castleford has everything needed for modern living, offering an abundance of leisure activities, great shopping and dining, and a wide selection of housing options.

Why buy in Castleford?

Castleford offers much more than might initially catch the eye. The pretty market town has an impressive history that can be explored at the Castleford Museum, while sites such as the Queens Mill, thought to have been the largest stone grinding mill in the world when it was in use 900 years ago, bring that heritage to life.

For those who prefer a more adrenaline-fuelled day out, Xscape is one of the more popular attractions in Castleford. Offering a whole range of activities, from glow in the dark adventure golf and trampolining, to urban climbing and indoor skiing and snowboarding, this multi-million pound centre, built on a former colliery site, has something for all the family.

Sport also plays an important part in Castleford life and is a key aspect of the town’s heritage. Rugby league is the sport of choice for many and an afternoon at The Jungle, home to Super League club Castleford Tigers, shouldn’t be missed. There are also various rugby league and rugby union clubs for players of all ages around the town.

Other sporting facilities enjoyed by Castleford residents include a swimming pool, football and cricket pitches and a golf course. The River Aire also flows through the town and its towpaths provide a popular route for walkers and cyclists as well as boat moorings for an annual fee. Castleford Weir, meanwhile, attracts anglers and playboaters practising their white water skills.

Back on dry land, the Fairburn Ings RSPB nature reserve offers both activities and serious wildlife watching. Over the last 60 years it has transitioned from being an ex-industrial site rich in heritage to become an important place for breeding and wintering wildfowl. In addition, spaces such as Queen’s Park, Smawthorne Park and Savile Park provide plentiful green areas across the town, which is also surrounded by beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

Castleford also has everything you need in terms of shopping and entertainment. High street favourites, major supermarkets and independent stores can be found across the multiple shopping centres and along the high street, while indoor and outdoor markets provide food and non-food shopping options. Pubs, restaurants, a cinema, bowling, amusements and much more mean there’s always plenty to do.

Schools in Castleford

Castleford also has its share of top performing schools, with the Glasshoughton Infant Academy for 3-7-year-olds and the Castleford Academy for 11-18-year-olds both rated as outstanding by Ofsted. Among the many other ‘good’ rated institutions are Ackton Pastures Primary Academy, Airedale Academy and Castleford Park Junior Academy.

Transport links

Its spot right next to the junction of the M1 and M62 makes Castleford a great place for road links. Driving to Leeds takes around 35 minutes, while other key Yorkshire spots such as Huddersfield, Bradford and Doncaster can be reached in around an hour.

Castleford train station is on the Pontefract line, with trains taking just 10 minutes between the two. The journey to Leeds takes around 20 minutes, while Leeds Bradford Airport is around an hour away by train.

House prices in Castleford

Castleford has a wide variety of properties, from traditional terraced homes to semi-detached and detached properties. There is also a growing number of newbuilds, including a whole host of properties along the banks of the River Aire.

According to Rightmove, the average price of a property in Castleford is just under £187,000, way below the average for England of £315,000. Terraced properties are most popular with buyers, going for an average of £144,354; semi-detached properties sold for an average of £186,991, with detached properties fetching £288,060.

Buy to let in Castleford

Thanks to its popularity as a commuter town, Castleford also has a decent rental market. Investors can expect rents in the region of £700-£900 a month for a detached property, or closer to the £450-£500 mark for a two-bed terrace.

Where to live in Castleford?

With its own train station, the Xscape centre and Junction 32 shopping outlet, Glasshoughton is a vibrant area of Castleford that also has a good stock of semi-detached and terraced homes in particular. It’s also home to Castleford Academy and Glasshoughton Infant Academy, making it a popular choice with families.

Airedale attracts those looking for green space and local amenities. It has a wide selection of housing, including modern detached properties in quiet spots that are still within walking distance of the town centre.

Younger buyers are also being drawn to the waterside, where new developments continue to pop up.

We aim to be the best value and most flexible surveyors in Castleford, offering a comprehensive, impartial survey, invaluable follow-on advice, and a friendly, professional and responsive service at all times.

To find out more, contact us or arrange a free quotation now.