Silksworth Area & Property Guide

Silksworth is one of Sunderland’s most central locations, set mid-way between the city centre and the A19. It has an interesting history – once a colliery village, the area was mostly farmland until it became a mining village in the 1800s. This greatly boosted the local economy (and the population), setting Silksworth on the path to become the thriving residential area that it is today.

These days, the old mining site has been converted to a sports complex, which is popular, thanks to its impressive ski slope. Other hints of its history remain; notably Doxford House, a grand 18th century mansion. This gives the area a distinctive personality, which further adds to its sense of community.

There’s also plenty to do in Silksworth. For those who’d rather stay closer to home in the evening, there are some great pubs and also some handy amenities and shops. In short, there’s everything that’s needed on the doorstep, with Sunderland just a few minutes away by car.

For home-buyers searching for a house or apartment that’s near the city, while in the heart of a friendly local community, Silksworth is the ideal location to choose.

Silksworth has a huge variety of different properties available. These include everything from elegant detached homes with several bedrooms, to cosy cottages and terraced properties. At the top end of the market, you’ll find generously-sized family homes on Silksworth hall drive. However there are some other larger style detached houses offering period features, such as bay windows, original fireplaces and cornicing. They often come with driveways and gardens too, which is a major draw for those with children.

Silksworth is also a wonderful place for dormer-cottages, which are very much associated with the area. These iconic homes are deceptively spacious inside and often offer fantastic value for money. Likewise, you’ll also find several terraced homes in Silksworth. Most are relatively modern and come with large windows and sought-after retro architecture, which typically consist of clean geometric lines and open-plan layouts.

If you’re working to a budget, there are some attractive one- and two-bedroomed terraced houses in Silksworth, which sell for far less than the national average. They’re a great way to get on the property ladder, and have good investment potential. There are also a few contemporary apartments, though the market is largely dominated by houses in this area. New Silksworth is a former coal mine, which nowadays has a great selection of spacious properties, with large gardens.

Investing in Silksworth Properties

You’ll find Silksworth not far from Sunderland city centre and the suburb is made up of two parts: old Silksworth, which dates way back to the Middle Ages, and New Silksworth, which emerged in the 1950’s.

It attracts a varying range of age groups, from young professionals to families and even retirees, as there are quite a few bungalows in the location. You’ll find almost everything you need on your doorstep and with more housing developments like Bellmen Green due to arrive in the coming months, there’s a lot to look forward to. Average prices in 2021 stood at around £138,000, with semi-detached houses selling more frequently, with average costs settling at £128,000.

Property architecture varies from large, detached houses in Silksworth Hall Drive and spacious semis to affordable terraced homes and modern flats and apartments. It’s a busy market and as such there are some great deals to be found for the eagle-eyed investor.

Renting in Silksworth

A short 10-minute journey by road connects Silksworth to the city centre and 5minutes to the A19 and Doxford International Business Park, making it the perfect location for working families and professionals alike. Houses and flats are usually available to rent, so depending on your needs it should be easy to find your next home.

As an example, a 3-bedroom terraced house could be yours for between £600-£700pcm. A 2-bedroom semi-detached tends to go for around the same price, while 2-bedroom flat could be secured for about £300-£400 pcm. The beautiful coast line of Seaham beach is only 10 minutes to the southwest, along with endless miles of plush open green countryside.

Silksworth Sports Complex is one of the region’s top attractions. It not only has football pitches and a skate park, but also has an outdoor ski slope, plus two nursery slopes for younger skiers to practice on. Silksworth Tennis Club is a short stroll away from here and there’s also a great play area for kids.

If you’re fond of green spaces, look for properties near Silksworth Park. This attractive green area is a magnet for dog-walkers and joggers alike and it also has a sports court.

The area caters well for its residents with several great pubs close by. These include The Fleece, Donkin’s and The Cavalier, which is a much-loved gastro-pub. There are also some high-quality restaurants in the area, such as Signatures Italian and Grill and The Scullery. Alternatively, you’ll find plenty of take-aways in Silksworth, such as Devitos, Affamato’s and Shan’s Balti House. This is welcome news for the nights when you just want to stay in and watch a movie.

For a livelier form of entertainment, most people tend to catch a taxi or bus into Sunderland city centre, Durham and Newcastle and the coast itself. The city boasts a wealth of shops, attractions and amenities. The Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and the National Glass Centre are perfect for a day out with the family and there are also several cinemas, bars and bowling alleys.

Although many people move to Silksworth to be close to Sunderland, they also choose the location due to its extensive range of amenities. There are several post offices in the area, plus many convenience stores. Sainsbury’s is close by, which is handy for weekly shops and there’s also The Range, which has everything you need for the home.

There are also some great schools around this location. New Silksworth Academy is well-regarded by local families and Silksworth Junior School is conveniently near. St Leonard’s RC Primary school is also popular and is within the catchment area.

As if this wasn’t enough, there are also numerous buses taking travellers to Sunderland throughout the day. From Sunderland Station, commuters can easily get to Newcastle, Durham and they can even get to Whitby for a day-trip by the sea.

Silksworth is also popular with professionals that work at the Doxford International Business Park, which is a 5 minute drive away along with those commuting to Durham and Newcastle.