Spotlight on Holcombe Brook

WHERE: Holcombe Brook is four miles north of Bury and three miles from the M66. The village is a 20-minute drive from Bury, 30 minutes from Bolton and about 45 minutes from Manchester.

WHY: Despite its few amenities of one pub and a handful of shops, Holcombe Brook is proving increasingly popular with young professionals because it is within commuting distance of Manchester, Bolton and Bury.

The moors and hills are just a few minutes' walk from most residents' front doors and nearby Ramsbottom boasts some excellent pubs, restaurants and a traditional weekly market.

The steam trains of the East Lancashire railway run through Holcombe Brook and have proved to be a popular attraction.

The mix of modern developments, stone built cottages and sprawling country estates means a broad market for buyers.

WHO: The village is made up of a mix of people who were born and bred in the shadow of Holcombe Tower, a monument to Robert Peel, and young professionals keen to swap the hustle and bustle of city life for a taste of the country.

SCHOOLS:Woodhey High School gets 68 per cent of its pupils through five A-C grade GCSEs, compared to the national average of 51.6 per cent.

TRANSPORT: The M66 and its connections to the motorway network is five minutes away or the main A56 takes you down into Bury in about 20 minutes.

While the only train service is the tourist steam one there are regular bus services: every half hour into Manchester and every 15 minutes into Bury.

AGENT'S VIEW: Nicholas Clegg of Nicholas Clegg and Co said: "Holcombe Brook has a very good reputation and people want something a bit different. The fact you can be out on the moorland, hill walking or fell walking in a matter of moments of leaving your front door is a big draw for people. There's a real sense of community spirit and it's a very relaxing place to live. There are some excellent schools, which is vitally important for parents."

RESIDENT'S VIEW:  Peter Critchley has lived in Holcombe Brook for the past 31 years. He said: "I really like it up here. There's plenty of local conveniences, including a bakers, a butchers, a newsagents and a pub. The schools are excellent and it's less than 10 miles from both Bolton and Bury. We're on the edge of open countryside.

"You can walk round the corner and you're in open moorland. The people are all really friendly and it's a good, close community. Ramsbottom is just a few minutes away and has great Chinese and Italian restaurants as well as a local theatre group who put on some fantastic performances.

"Holcombe Brook is a great place for walkers and there's also a tennis court, football pitch, cricket club and golf course here. It's real village life, without being in the middle of nowhere."

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