The Times announce the best places to live each year, ranking towns and cities on house prices, transport links, schools and air quality.
Well, low and behold, this year saw Altrincham kick Kirkby Lonsdale off the top spot, taking the title thanks mainly to the “turnaround of the high street.”
The article points to the “prioritisation of independent and smaller businesses over high street chains,” such as Debenhams, who left the suburb early this year.
There’s also a significant highlight towards the “welcoming nature of the town towards kids” with many child-friendly options including kid menus and dedicated play areas such as those found in Altrincham Market.
The article also points out how the area is dog-friendly with doggo’s being found in every corner of the high street, “typical of a town where family is at the heart of everything.”
Alty is also praised for its neighbouring outdoor market, complete “with a longstanding butcher, a fishmonger and a greengrocer, but also vintage goodies, arts and crafts.”
The “interesting shops popping up all over town” are also celebrated, from Sugo to Everyman Cinema, Diadem Jewellery and Batch Bottlestore all getting a mention.
‘Alty’s other virtues are more straightforwardly suburban. It has the two best schools in the North West, according to The Sunday Times Parent Power guide. The National Trust’s lovely Dunham Massey adds a taste of the country. There’s a choice of golf courses, an ice rink and a leisure centre that’s about to get a £20m upgrade — and motorways, trains and planes are all on the doorstep.’
Get something to look forward to and plan your Altrincham Day Out for when the lockdown is over.
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