Moortown Area Property Guide...
“About buying property and life in the Moortown area”
Moortown is a suburb in north Leeds, which can be accessed from Harrogate Road or the A6120 outer ring road. Houses in Moortown are relatively expensive, as it holds the desirable LS17 postcode (as it is situated next to Alwoodley). Moortown has two parts, Moortown and Moor Allerton. Moor Allerton is 3/4 mile away from Alwoodley. It contains a large Sainsbury's supermarket, several other retail shops, a high school, a number of churches, and several primary schools.
Alwoodley, in North Leeds, is one of the city's most upmarket and sought-after suburbs. Indeed, recent research carried out by FindaProperty.com revealed that if money was no object, this is the area most Leeds homeowners would choose to live in.
That's quite an endorsement, and Alwoodley, the highest rung on the Leeds property ladder, certainly has the price tags and the properties to justify envious and aspirational daydreams.
You won't get much change from £650,000 for some of the larger houses here, and the finest - grand detached mansions in their own grounds - can sell for whole lot more than that.
Peacefully Suburban
The attractions of the area are obvious: wide, peaceful tree-lined streets, plenty of green space (all those golf courses), good local schools, and a fine stock of detached and semi-detached houses.
The atmosphere is prosperously suburban - Alwoodleyis a place of neatly clipped hedges, two cars in the driveway, and successful middle-class professionals who golf, garden and shop at the local Marks and Sparks food store - one of the first opened by the company.
Estate agents say the schools, the community spirit and the generously proportioned houses and gardens make the area very popular with well-to-do families.
Good Mix Of Properties
But while Alwoodley is Leeds' most affluent suburb, it isn't all exclusive high-end homes. The mansions on Wigton Lane, Manor House Lane and Alwoodley Lane fetch top dollar, and the 50s semis off The Avenue are perennially popular.
But there's also a mix of 70s, 80s, and 90s houses that are a tad more affordable, and you can even find ex-council properties in the Deanswoods and Fir Trees neighbourhoods that won't break the bank.
The area is largely residential - it does have local shops, a couple of neighbourhood pubs and a lively community hall - so if it's a café lifestyle you're after you'd be better advised to move down the road to trendy Chapel Allerton.
But if work and a home life comes second to your true passion - golf - this is definitely the place to be.
There are five clubs in the area, including the splendid Moortown course, which hosted the 1927 Ryder Cup.
Back then it was Britain vs the USA and the British won. Where better, then, to forget the workaday week and indulge your fantasies of sinking the winning putt in a glorious playoff against Tiger Woods?
Failing that, enjoy the walk, avoid the bunkers and try not to slice a drive through one of the expensive windows in the grand houses overlooking the fairways.
PROPERTY IN ALWOODLEY
1. West of Harrogate Road
Where is it? The area to the West of Harrogate Road - the golf course forms the northern border; the forest creates a western boundary, and the ring road to the south separates it from Moortown.
What's there: The Primley Park streets on the right hand side are mostly 50s-built 3-bed semis, some extended. There are also some Wimpey-built 70s houses, and an 80s built development of detached houses.
The Turnberrys, Birkdales, and Sunningdales are also all Wimpey homes - the company developed this area in the 60s and 70s with a mix of town houses, detached homes, flats and semis.
On the other side of Nursery Road, the Fir Trees neighbourhood is ex-council property, most of it now owner-occupied. In the middle is a development called Tall Trees built by Barratts six or seven years ago and offering semis and detached houses.
Further along, Cranmer Bank and the Deanswoods are also all ex-council and now a mix of owner-occupiers and tenants. North of here is the Buckstones - good 50s-built semis, detached and some fine bungalows overlooking the woods.
Buyers: A mix - popular with families but also some young professionals.
Pros: Good selection of property from detached homes and bungalows to semis and apartments. Close to the shops in Moortown and the Harrogate Road. Several schools and good green areas.
2. East of Harrogate Road
Where is it? Fairly clearly defined area - the triangle formed by Wigton Lane, Harrogate Road and Shadwell Road - the ring road forms the southern border. It becomes Shadwell at the Shadwell Lane junction.
What's there: In the High Ash streets, 60s and 70s semis; in the Lintons, Wimpey-built homes; in the Plantations, semis and some big detached houses on large plots. In the streets named after birds (Kestrel, Swallow etc), late 70s and early-80s semis, detached houses and some flats.
Some large prime properties on Wigton Lane and Manor House Lane - these are among the best streets in Alwoodley.
Buyers: Again a mix - popular with families but also some young professionals.
Pros: Good selection of property types; some local shops in the middle of High Ash; several schools and a bus from High Ash to the prestigious Rosset School in Harrogate. Also some shops on Harrogate Road near Sandhill Drive.
3. Alwoodley Park
Where is it? Area to the North of Moortown Golf Course - Alwoodley Lane forms the northern border, King Lane the western, and the golf course takes up most of the south and east. It's Alwoodley Park on the map, but agents say the name is not used.
What's there: On The Avenue and adjoining streets, lots of 50s semis. Some very grand detached houses on Alwoodley Lane; new-build neo-Georgian in the Sandmoors. Also some flats on Alwoodley Lane.
Buyers: Mainly families and some retirees in flats on Alwoodley Lane.
Pros: Good stock of solid 50s semis with gardens in a pleasant suburban environment; also plenty of more recent new-build. Some shops on King Lane and The Avenue; close to Alwoodley Community Hall; good views over the golf courses from some streets.
LIVING HERE
Transport
Buses: Bus services to the city centre along the Harrogate Road and King Lane.
Road: The A61 (Harrogate Road) runs through the centre of Alwoodley - into Leeds and out to Harrogate and Ripon. The A61 also links to the A6120 ring road which will take you to the M1 and the motorway system.
Air: Leeds-Bradford International Airport is located between Leeds and Bradford and has internal UK flights and flights to Europe, Egypt and Turkey. It's north of Leeds city centre and is easily reached from Alwoodley (about 20 mins).
Shopping
Moor Allerton: Located at the junction of King Lane and the ring road - Sainsburys, Homebase, Comet, Blockbusters, Laura Ashley, the local library etc.
Harrogate Road: Collection of kosher food stores here, serving the local Jewish community.
Street Lane: Further south, on Street Lane, more shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Eating & Drinking
Eating: Not great for restaurants. Street Lane has shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Pubs: Some local pubs dotted about the area.
Sports
Golf: Take your pick from Alwoodley Golf Club, Sandmoor Golf Club, Moortown Golf Club, Moor Allerton Golf Club, Wigton Moor Golf Club and the Brandon Golf Course.
David Lloyd Leisure Centre: On Tongue Lane in Moortown, includes a gym, swimming pool, tennis, badminton and squash, a spa and a café.
Cricket: Alwoodley Cricket Club is on Crag Lane.
Alwoodley Community Association: Art, badminton, carpet bowls, chess, fitness league, lacemaking and craft, chamber orchestra, singers, social club, tennis, women's club, football.
Leodiensian RUFC: Rugby club located on Crag Lane.
Leisure & Entertainment
Alwoodley Community Hall: Lots of clubs meet here - art, chess, singing, orchestras, guides & scouts etc.
Parks and Open Spaces
Golden Acre Park: North of Alwoodley, this offers 130 acres of gardens and woodland around a central lake.
Eccup Reservoir: North of Alwoodley, a Site of Special Scientific Interest - good for walking and birdwatching. In 1999, red kites were reintroduced to this area as part of a national programme.