10 Jolly Good Reasons for Buying a Home in Dursley
Since starting our “Jolly Good Reasons” series, we’ve looked at several local areas, including Chipping Sodbury, Thornbury, and the new kid on the block, Lyde Green.
We now continue our “10 Jolly Good Reasons” series and explore Dursley, an area very familiar with our new Senior Conveyancer, Sindy.
Positioned 13 miles away from our Thornbury branch, and 14 miles from our Chipping Sodbury branch, Dursley is a market town situated on the edge of the Cotswolds in Southern Gloucestershire, and lies adjacent to and South of Cam, which is a slightly larger village.
Did you know? For avid Harry Potter fans, the name, Dursley, will certainly ring a bell. And indeed, J.K. Rowling did, in fact, name the Dursley family after the town…
1. An area of outstanding beauty…
Dursley and the surrounding countryside provides spectacular views.
Fortunately, the Costwold Way National Trial runs through Dursley (which is, by the way, a “Walkers are Welcome” approved town). It is over 100 miles long, and passes through many beautiful and historic landmarks.
2. Keeping fit…
On your marks, get set…GO!
For the keen fitness enthusiasts out there, Dursley provides many an exercise event, including the Dursley Dozen – a 12-mile multi-terrain course around Dursley Hills…Certainly not for the faint-hearted!
The Dursley and District Athletic Club also provides opportunities to take part in Duathlon’s, Triathlon’s, and other Cross Country Events!
Dursley’s new Sports Centre and Swimming Pool, The Pulse, features children’s classes, sports activities, swimming classes, and a new gym.
3. Things to do, places to see…
Take a trip to Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Enjoy the Land Rover Safari, feed the ducks and geese, or take a trip up to the Severn view Sloane observation tower…
Alternatively, for even more family fun head to Prema Arts Centre, which hosts live music, Art Exhibitions, and the delicious food at the Vestry Café.
Visit the beautiful Owlpen Manor, Uley. The manor was built during the Tudor period, and plays hosts to weddings and other events.
Dursley Carnival takes place in July. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Did you know? Preliminary discussions about Dursley becoming gateways to the Cotswolds are taking place.
4. From Indian and Italian, to Mexican cusine, and award-winning pubs!…
Discover the variety of eateries within Dursley, including the fresh and tasty Italian, Della Casa.
Take a stroll over to The Old Spot Inn, an award-winning Gastropub, which offers a wide range of beers and food to tantalise your taste buds.
If you looking for something spicier, you may want to try the Dilraj or Bengal Lounge.
There’s also a delicious Mexican (El Dorado), and soon to be a Mediterranean (The Kings Head Pub)!
5. Markets and more…
Discover the Farmers’ market on the second Saturday of every month, which features the best of local produce, and includes tasty jams, pickles, fresh cakes and bread, flowers, and much more.
Dursley also features many independent retailers on the high street, as well as high street names.
The modern Dursley library provides PCs with inte
rnet access, free public Wi-Fi, Bookstart, a home library service, and a meeting room for unity use. Contact the library for booking information.
Dursley’s War Memorial Recreation Ground, has a children’s playground, tennis courts, and is also the home for Dursley Town AFC.
St James’s Church in Dursley, dates from the 13th Century.
Did you know? The Dursley In Bloom committee achieved a Gold Award in the Small Town category in the Heart of England competition in 2016.
6. Transport links…
Cam and Dursley Railway station, provides access to Gloucester and Bristol.
There was a Dursley Railway Station, with a a railway which ran just 2.5 miles long. It closed in 1970, and now no trace remains. After public pressure, Cam and Dursley station was built in 1994.
Alternatively, Dursley is just a few minutes away from the M5 motorway, which provides quick access to Bristol (30 minutes South) and Gloucester (30 minutes North)
Did you know? Around 1496, the famous Christian writer and martyr, William Tyndale was born near Dursley, probably at Slimbridge.
7. Great schools…
There are several schools situated within Dursley and Cam. Within Dursley specifically, there is Dursley C of E Primary, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, and Rednock Secondary, a specialist Science college, also rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
8. State-of-the-art housing…
Littlecombe (by St. Modwen Homes) is a new housing development in Dursley, a picturesque collection of modern, rural homes.
There’s also ‘The Halt’ (Taylor Wimpy) in Cam, a collection of beautifully designed 3, 4 and 5-bedroom homes, bordered by the picturesque countryside.
The average house price in Dursley is £229,538.
Did you know? Dursley is twinned with Bovenden in Germany.
9. Rich history…
In the 15th Century, Dursley focused on woollen cloth manufactering.
The Pedersen bicycle, also called the Dursley Pedersen bicycle, is a bicycle that was developed by Danish inventor Mikael Pedersen, and was produced in Dursley too!
In the 19th century, R A Lister, a British company which builds engines, was founded in Dursley. At its peak, it employed up to 4,000 people. Robert Lister founded the original company in 1867, and is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.
Dursley also had links with furniture production (Bymacks Ltd.), Machine Belt Driving (Harrold’s), carpet manufactering and pin-making.
Dursley underwent a went a landscape change in the early 1960’s, due to the construction of Castle Street, and to create more space.
Did you know? It is reported that William Shakespeare may have lived in Dursley from 1582 to 1590.
10. A close community…
Dursley and District Community Association was founded in 1974, “with the aim to promote the well-being of the broad community based in and around Dursley.”
The Dursley community centre is used by over 30 groups,with up to 75,000 people using the facility in a year.
Dursley has one of the longest-running quiz leagues in the country – 48 years to be precise. Sporting Bristol sits comfortably at the top with 11 wins from 11 in the 2016/2017 season. Think you can beat them?
If you’d like to find out more, there’s a fan-made site dedicated to Dursley.
There’s even a forum all about Dursley, where you can engage further.
