Buy or rent in Bourne, Lincolnshire? A brief property guide
If you're thinking about buying or renting a property in Lincolnshire, you may be considering Bourne as a place to put down roots. This charming market town lies on the eastern slope of the Kesteven Uplands, partway between Lincoln and Peterborough. It was established as early as the 10th century around a series of natural springs and is renowned for its ancient woodlands, which sprawl to the west of the town centre.
In this guide, discover everything you need to know about buying and renting in Bourne, including some of the factors that make it a great place to live. Learn about educational opportunities and public transport in the town, as well as some of the reasons why it could be a great choice for a short-term rental property.
The article also touches on the average prices for renting and buying in the town to help you make an informed decision about which is right for you. When it comes to rentals, you'll find a good choice online at this source, which lists properties in Bourne and other towns throughout the UK. It's a useful resource for comparing rental prices throughout Lincolnshire and how they compare to market rates.
Dave Porter, Canva.com
Rent vs buy in Bourne
If you're looking to buy in Bourne, the average price last year was around £267,500, with a 5% increase recorded on the previous year. At the cheapest end of the scale are terraced homes (around £200,000) while semi-detached homes were around £232,000. More expensive still were detached properties, which averaged around £348,500.
Rental prices in Bourne average around £1,106 per calendar month, although this price varies considerably depending on the size of the property. Two-bedroom rentals are around £850 per calendar month and three bedrooms are around £1,065 while a four-bedroom house will put you back roughly £2,000 per calendar month.
Public transport in Bourne
If you're buying or renting in Bourne, access to public transport may be of importance, particularly if you're commuting to other cities for work. Bourne has a family-operated local bus service that connects the town to neighbouring Spalding, Stamford and Market Deeping. In addition, there is a bus that travels into the city of Peterborough, with services every day of the week from morning until evening. On the third Wednesday of each month, a bus also travels into Lincoln for locals who want to go shopping in the cathedral city.
Schools in Bourne
If education is an important factor in deciding whether or not to buy or rent property in Bourne, you can rest assured that there are some excellent schools in the area. In total, there are six schools to choose from, all of which have been rated as "good" or "outstanding" by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. The Bourne Grammar School was recently identified as the top state-funded high school in Lincolnshire, with above-average GCSE results in many subjects.
There are two private schools nearby - Kirkstone House School in the village of Baston (four miles south of Bourne) and Witham Hall Preparatory School in Witham on the Hill (five miles from Bourne). While the former welcomes students aged between 4 and 18, the latter is for children between 4 and 13 years of age. In Stamford, there is a college and a tertiary education centre while Peterborough (16 miles from Bourne) is home to a university.
Entertainment facilities and attractions in Bourne.
Whether you're buying property in Bourne as an investment or looking to live there yourself, its access to community facilities and local attractions is one of its drawcards. This is of particular importance if you're looking to create a short-term rental property catering to tourists to the area.
Bourne boasts its own leisure centre, which is complete with a heated indoor swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym and a sports court. In addition to the leisure centre, there is an outdoor pool that is popular in the summer months.
The town also features an arts centre, a snooker club and an indoor golf facility, as well as offering easy access to the 18-hole Toft Golf Club. You can take advantage of the books and research archives at the Bourne Library or enjoy the walking and cycling trails that traverse the town.
Bourne is just 10 minutes' drive from Grimsthorpe Castle, a magnificent country estate set within a sprawling parkland. Join a guided tour to explore its opulently decorated rooms, with highlights including the Chinese Drawing Room, the Gothic Bedroom and the Chapel. On the grounds is an Adventure Playground complete with a zip line and a rope walk.
Around 20 minutes away is the picturesque town of Stamford, which is renowned for its stone-built Georgian architecture. Not to miss is Burghley House, which is considered one of the most impressive Elizabethan residences in England and features a magical garden dotted with fountains and sculptures. On the outskirts of Stamford is Tolethorpe Hall where you can watch Shakespearean plays in the summer months.
If you're looking for kids entertainment, head to the village of Tallington, which is around 15 minutes' drive from Bourne. It's home to a lakeside leisure park where you can participate in a range of water sports, climb the 15-metre wall or fly down the ski slope. Rutland Water is another nearby family destination for water sports and fishing.