Garstang is a picturesque market town located between Preston and Lancaster, offering residents a blend of historic charm and modern convenience. What sets Garstang apart is its rich history as the world’s first Fairtrade town, a status achieved in 2000. This achievement reflects the town’s strong sense of community and its commitment to ethical living, which is evident in the variety of independent shops, cafés, and businesses that thrive here.
Every week, Garstang’s traditional market fills the High Street with local traders offering fresh produce, crafts, and goods. This tradition has been part of Garstang for centuries, making it a hub of activity for both residents and visitors. The town’s ideal location, nestled along the River Wyre and with easy access to the Forest of Bowland, means that residents enjoy both natural beauty and urban amenities at their doorstep.
Garstang’s Property Market and How Architects Add Value
Garstang offers a variety of homes to suit different lifestyles, from quaint cottages and terraced houses to spacious semi-detached and detached properties. As families grow and needs change, architects and designers can play a crucial role in transforming these homes to accommodate new requirements, ensuring that properties remain functional and comfortable.
Terraced Houses in Garstang
Garstang’s terraced homes, often clustered close to the heart of town, provide a cosy, historic feel. Many of these properties are built with traditional materials such as brick or stone. While these homes may be compact, architects can cleverly reimagine their interiors to maximize space. For example, reconfiguring the ground floor to create open-plan living areas or extending into unused attic space can transform these homes into more flexible family spaces.
Architects can also focus on sustainability in these older homes, introducing energy-efficient features like improved insulation or double-glazed windows, reducing energy bills while keeping the charm intact.
Semi-Detached Homes
For families looking for more space, Garstang’s semi-detached properties are a popular option. These homes often offer larger rooms and gardens, making them ideal for growing families. Architects and designers can enhance these homes by focusing on extensions or loft conversions, allowing for extra bedrooms or home offices as children grow or work-from-home needs increase.
Internally, reconfiguring these homes to create open, flowing layouts can make them feel more spacious and modern. Removing interior walls to merge kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms can transform the home into a central hub for family life. Additionally, sustainable upgrades like solar panels, underfloor heating, and energy-efficient glazing can add long-term value, making the property more eco-friendly while reducing running costs.
Detached Properties
Garstang also boasts a range of detached homes, often situated on larger plots that offer plenty of potential for architectural innovation. These homes are perfect for families looking for a balance between space, privacy, and a peaceful setting. Architects can work closely with homeowners to create bespoke designs that cater to their evolving needs, such as creating multi-functional spaces or incorporating outdoor living areas.
Detached properties provide the freedom to introduce major changes, such as large extensions, garden rooms, or garage conversions. With the rise of remote work, a detached home can easily be adapted to include a dedicated office or studio space. Landscaped gardens, play areas for children, and outdoor entertaining spaces can also be designed to complement the indoor living environment, creating a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces.
Why Garstang?
Garstang offers a unique combination of history, community spirit, and natural beauty. Its status as the first Fairtrade town demonstrates the town’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, which appeals to families and individuals looking for a conscientious place to call home. Excellent schools, a strong sense of local identity, and easy access to both the countryside and nearby cities make it a fantastic place for families to settle and grow.