Beautiful Barnsley and views to die for

This weekend we take a long look at Barnsley and its surrounding villages.

It is a first-time buyer hotspot thanks to being the most affordable place to buy a home in Yorkshire. You can find a decent semi-detached home from £120,000 to £140,000 that will see you right for all stages of your life, with no need to move, unless you have to.

While inexpensive properties for first-time buyers are something to cheer about, don’t mistake cheap for poor. Barnsley also has a wealth of amenities, great transport links (both road and rail) and it has its fair share of fabulous homes and chocolate box villages.

Perhaps best of all are the people – down-to-earth and friendly with a good sense of humour.

Away from the beautiful south of the region, we also head west and showcase a fantastic barn conversion in an amazing setting in the hamlet of Mankinholes, which is up in the hills, between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.

The views from the property, which offers walks, cycling and fell running from the doorstep, are magnificent. The owner is struggling to tear himself away and it’s easy to see why.

The story above reveals good news on the mortgage front. A new lender, Generation Home, has entered the market and aims to make it easier for relatives and friends to help first-time buyers.

It was born from the founders’ own difficulty in getting on the property ladder.

Sharon Dale, Property editor

Email: sharon.dale @ypn.co.uk

Twitter: @propertywords