About Bury
Bury grew from a medieval market town into a significant industrial centre during the 19th century, sitting north west of Manchester and next to Bolton. Today, with approximately 190,000 people in the metropolitan borough, it maintains its position as a key northern town while evolving to meet contemporary needs.
The town sits beneath the West Pennine Moors, creating a backdrop of hills and open spaces. Its position, 8 miles north of Manchester city centre, makes it popular among commuters seeking value and space.
The centre maintains its traditional layout around the award-winning market. Unlike many similar-sized towns, Bury kept its distinct shopping streets and independent traders while adding modern retail facilities. The East Lancashire Railway adds historical interest, while Burrs Country Park provides natural space minutes from the centre.
Property In Bury
Property types: Bury offers housing spanning several centuries. Victorian and Edwardian properties line the streets near the town centre, while interwar semi-detached houses spread outward. More recent developments add contemporary options to the property market.
The most desirable addresses include Manchester Road, Walmersley Road, and the streets around Clarence Park, featuring substantial period homes. Areas like Elton and Fairfield Green offer excellent family housing.
Developments: Current projects include the regeneration of former industrial sites near the town centre. Plans exist for new housing developments off Wash Lane, adding to the town’s stock of family homes.
Property prices: According to recent data, average property prices in the Bury area reached £236k last year. Detached houses averaged £382K, semi-detached properties £239K, and terraced homes £186K. Of course, if you have an estate agent in Bury who knows the market well, you can achieve more than these average prices suggest.
Rental market: The average rental price in Bury according to the ONS is £886 pcm, with variation across different property types and sizes according to location. The market shows consistent demand from professionals and families, with rental values rising substantially over the past few years. The town’s strong transport links and local amenities appeal to both landlords and tenants, with local Bury letting agents able to help you find the best investment opportunities.
Whether you’re a buyer or tenant, our estate agents in Bury, Greater Manchester, can guide you to the perfect property. Take a look here for the most up to house prices in Bury.
Transport Links
Bury’s location provides excellent travel options across the region.
- Car & Road: The M66 motorway runs along the eastern edge of Bury, offering quick routes south to Manchester (30 minutes) and north to Lancashire. The A58 and A56 provide additional main road connections to the surrounding areas.
- Bus: The interchange at Bury houses frequent services to Bolton (30 minutes), Rochdale (40 minutes), and numerous local destinations. Night services operate on weekends.
- Tram: The Metrolink runs from Bury to Manchester Victoria (25 minutes), continuing through the city centre to Altrincham. Services operate from early morning until late evening.
- Train: While Bury’s main railway station closed in 1980, the town benefits from regular Metrolink services. The nearest mainline station is at Bolton, reaching Manchester Piccadilly in 20 minutes.
- Cycling & Walking: The Irwell Sculpture Trail provides traffic-free cycling and walking routes. Local paths connect to the West Pennine Moors.
- Airport: Manchester Airport lies 20 miles away, typically reached in 40 minutes by car or around an hour by public transport.
Find out more about the options for local transport here.
Places Of Interest
Discover Bury’s notable locations and leisure destinations.
- Bury Market: Famous traditional market, operating since 1444 (Market Street, BL9 0BJ).
- East Lancashire Railway: Heritage railway running steam trains (Bolton Street Station, BL9 0EY).
- Bury Transport Museum: Showcasing local transport history (Castlecroft Road, BL9 0JS).
- Burrs Country Park: 36 acres of countryside and waterways (Woodhill Road, BL8 1DA).
- Bury Art Museum: Victorian building housing important collections (Moss Street, BL9 0DR).
- The Met: Grade II listed theatre and music venue (Market Street, BL9 0BW).
- Clarence Park: Victorian park with ornamental gardens (Manchester Road, BL9 0ST).
- Peel Tower: Historic monument with panoramic views (Holcombe Hill, BL8 4NR).
- Fusilier Museum: Regimental history displays (Moss Street, BL9 0DF).
- Nuttall Park: Riverside park with sports facilities (Nuttall Lane, BL9 6RY).
Jobs & Employment
Bury’s economy combines traditional retail strength with growing service sectors. The town centre provides substantial employment in retail and hospitality, while business parks house office-based companies and light industry.
Major employers include the NHS at Fairfield Hospital, council services, and retail operations at The Rock shopping centre. The Greater Manchester location enables access to opportunities across the region, particularly in Manchester’s financial and professional services sectors.
Recent years show growth in digital and creative industries, often in converted mill buildings. While traditional manufacturing declined, new sectors including healthcare technology and professional services expanded. Future growth looks likely in digital industries and sustainable technology, supported by regional development initiatives.
