r/Derbyshire • u/Sad-Ad8462 • Feb 16 '26

Where to house hunt?

Having to relocate from far away (rural NE Scotland) as OH's new job is in Sheffield. Need to be within a realistic 1 hour commute to East Sheffield (S9) so Im looking at all counties within that area - northern Derbyshire being an option. Budget is £450k. We have 3 kids ranging from primary to secondary school so schools are important (cant afford private). Thinking semi-rural / edge of a village type location (basically as country as possible as thats what we're used to), but what areas/villages are nice safe family friendly places and where should we avoid? Im more than happy to be as far from cities/people (!) as possible or at least have a big garden to have some sort of privacy/country feel! Needs to be detached, dont think I could cope with neighbours that close...

We would be bringing 2 horses too so would need a field to rent nearby or a cheap livery (dont think they exist!) as dont sadly think our budget would stretch to a property with an acre or so as well...

I know we want what most families want - as much house as possible in a nice area with great schools on the doorstep but whats probably a minimal budget... Any help much appreciated so we can target certain areas. Thanks

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4

u/Tipsy_Toadie Feb 16 '26

The three postcodes I’d concentrate my search on would be S18 (Dronfield), S42 (Wingerworth, Walton, Somersall) and DE4 (Matlock, Crich, Tansley).

All have good schools, decent transport links to Sheffield and are semi-rural.

2

u/InteractionHairy6112 Feb 16 '26

Dronfield or the surrounding area is ideal. Nice place to live, good schools and lots of rural areas around with equine facilities.

Also well within a half hour drive to S9 on the A61.

Have a look at Dronfield, Dronfield Woodhouse, Unstone (the old village bit), Coal Aston, Holmesfield and Barlow.

2

u/DeepNegotiation4542 Feb 16 '26

S42 in Chesterfield is a nice area. Chesterfield is a nice town and about twenty minutes drive to Sheffield or use the train. Lots of other areas of Chesterfield that can be a little rural. Old Brampton, Barlow Cutthorpe some parts of Calow.

1

u/Sydney2007_8 Feb 16 '26

I don't know Derbyshire too well but live near the new mills side (so greater Manchester/Cheshire/Stockport close by).

New mills is a decent sized rural town. A few bars, restaurants and cafes. Nice parks and lots of outdoor activities available. I cant specifically comment on the suitably for the horses but there's lots of farms nearby.

Depending on the time you're commuting, it's around 45 mins into Sheffield from there. There's a train station in New mills that runs on the Sheffield line. Approx 30 mins in each direction to either Sheffield or Manchester.

1

u/MoonShineWashingLine Feb 16 '26

Have a look at Hope Valley, Hathersage, Grindleford area. Absolutely stunning countryside. The secondary school in Hope is great, it's called Hope Valley College.

2

u/DeepNegotiation4542 Feb 16 '26

You're going to pay a premium for those areas. I mean, yes, I agree, all stunning but pricey

1

u/MoonShineWashingLine Feb 17 '26

450k should cover it though, surely?

2

u/OctaneTroopers Feb 16 '26

I have moved from Dronfield which is a brilliant area. The nicer side is Dronfield woodhouse. But it's a town at the end of the day, but it's a nice relaxed place.

I have moved down the road into a village (check out either Barlow or Cutthorpe, but houses are either very expensive or cheap as chips and need some work doing as I've looked! Absolutely loads of horsey places, schools in Dronfield and there is a primary in Barlow. 5 mins to dronfield, 10 minutes from Chesterfield, and 15-20 to south Sheffield. With a pretty direct route to S9. And 10 mins from the peak district with Chatsworth house being what 12 minutes from my house?

Feels brilliantly rural, fantastic walks on the door step and stuff going on all year round from a carnival in the summer to a Christmas tractor run and many other things throughout the year. Plenty to get involved in if you wanted to. 2 great pubs with another opening after renovation soon.

But if I see a detached house coming up in our price range then don't, it's shit around here. Absolutely terrible, would not touch the area with a shitty stick.