Cheshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Squirrelled away in the hills on the fringes of the Peak District, Macclesfield feels a whole world away from neighbouring Alderley Edge. Yes, the temperature definitely drops up here, but there’s a fiery creative crowd behind the scenes who are conjuring a number of trailblazing restaurants, top-notch watering holes and independent shops. And with miles of wide open space, an under-the-radar vibe and a roaring community spirit, Macclesfield is one to watch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/421837865_18246102943240706_658383806613505578_n.jpg" alt="moules frites from Savages Mussels Bar " class="wp-image-244" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/421837865_18246102943240706_658383806613505578_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/421837865_18246102943240706_658383806613505578_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/421837865_18246102943240706_658383806613505578_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/421837865_18246102943240706_658383806613505578_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/421837865_18246102943240706_658383806613505578_n-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Savages Mussels Bar</figcaption></figure>



<p>A few years ago, Macc was plagued with empty shops and a dismal culinary scene. But today things are a whole lot more exciting, much of which is thanks to the opening of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/picturedromemacc">Picturedrome</a> – a former cavernous cinema that’s been reimagined by&nbsp;the bright things behind Altrincham Market into another sceney indoor market. Behind its white veneer on Chestergate, you’ll find a whole host of stalls selling stone-baked pizza, served-pink steak and gooey cakes. I’d go as far as saying it’s the beating heart of Macc.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Elsewhere, head to <a href="https://www.savagesmussels.com/">Savages Mussels Bar</a> for insanely good moules frites or the scallops and gratin with a big hunk of bread to mop up all that sauce. There’s an offshoot of Wilmslow pizzeria <a href="https://www.woodfiresmoke.uk/macclesfield">Wood Fire Smoke</a> which is always a crowd-pleaser with kids (order the dough balls filled with mozzarella and pesto).&nbsp;For top-notch brunch dishes and trademark cruffins (flaky croissant-style muffins), duck into <a href="https://www.atnmarple.com/copy-of-food-drink-menus">All Things Nice</a> and don’t be surprised if you walk away with a bag of its sourdough, teacakes and focaccia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Flour Water Salt is another wildly popular bakery and you’ll often find fiercely loyal locals queuing outside for its coffee, just-baked bread and pastries. And set in Macclesfield’s newest – and hippest- hotel, <a href="https://www.bohotel.co.uk">Bohome</a>, diners graze on small plates of buttermilk honeyed chicken thighs, salt baked beetroot and coconut dhal in <a href="https://www.suburban-green.co.uk/macclesfield/">Suburban Green</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>Harnessing the town’s plucky local spirit,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.treaclemarket.co.uk">Treacle Market</a>  heads into town on the final Sunday of every month with more than 200 stalls to mooch around selling everything from clothing and crafts to plants and original art. Expect live music and street performers and arrive hungry to take full advantage of the great little food stalls piled high with steaming bowls of curry, saffron-tinged paella and zesty tacos. </p>



<p>Head towards Church Street, whose cobbles give off olde worlde vibes, and you’ll find a whole host of independents that have sprung up. Follow the scents of incense into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pachamamasevenrays">Pachamama</a> with its boxes of crystals and stones. Grab cupcakes and coffee from <a href="https://www.cbbakery.co.uk/">Cherry Blossom Bakery</a> and stock up on meat and pies from <a href="http://www.ncarter.co.uk">N Carter and Co</a>. Opposite the rail station, meanwhile, is <a href="https://www.arighibianchi.co.uk/">Arighi Bianchi</a>, a gargantuan interiors store that’s been around since 1854. It’s pricey but you can lose a few hours gazing at the sofas, the artwork, the furniture…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Untitled-design-313.jpg" alt="Fold Yoga Macclesfield Cheshire" class="wp-image-307" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Untitled-design-313.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Untitled-design-313-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Untitled-design-313-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Untitled-design-313-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Untitled-design-313-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fold Yoga</figcaption></figure>



<p>In a friendly space, <a href="https://foldyogastudio.com/">Fold Yoga</a> is a refreshingly unpretentious yoga studio with classes for every type of yogi, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. There’s also <a href="https://www.substation.co.uk">Substation</a>, a yoga studio attached to a popular climbing wall, so you could take a morning hatha class whilst the kids are scaling heights next door. But if you’re a gym bunny, Macclesfield has a handful to join, from its <a href="https://www.puregym.com/gyms/macclesfield-silk-road">PureGym</a> outpost to <a href="https://www.isfitness.co.uk/">ISFitness</a> with a focus on strength and conditioning, and <a href="https://5sfitness.co.uk/">5S Fitness</a> which offers a free week’s worth of training before you officially sign up. A short drive away, you can play golf on a championship course, sign up to fitness classes or hide away in the spa at <a href="https://www.thetytheringtonclub.com/">Tytherington Club</a>. Macclesfield District General Hospital sits right in the centre, too.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>There’s no doubting community is a big thing in Macc. There are festivals and shindigs bringing locals together, from the annual bonfire and fireworks display at Macclesfield Cricket Club to Treacle Market at Christmas for a good dose of feel-good festiveness and the summer’s Macclesfield Festival filled with pony rides, face painting, magicians and plenty of live music. And then there’s Macclesfield FC for footy fans, aka the Silkmen.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Calling all nature fiends. Macclesfield is ringed by swathes of verdant countryside. But strike out west and you’ll arrive in Macclesfield Forest, a tangle of wilderness where walkers climb the hill of Shuttlingsloe or wander up the peak of Tegg’s Nose before it rolls into the untamed expanse of the Peak District. For wild swimming, camping, hill walking and a load of old school boozers with roaring fires.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/ParadiseMill-10.jpg" alt="the Silk Museum" class="wp-image-252" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/ParadiseMill-10.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/ParadiseMill-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/ParadiseMill-10-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Silk Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p>During the 1820’s, Macc was the largest producer of silk in the world and sat at the western edge of the Silk Road. To get a hold of Macclesfield’s history, head straight for <a href="https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/">The Silk Museum</a> for a fascinating insight into its renowned silk industry. Film buffs catch blockbusters and live screenings of opera and drama at indie <a href="https://cinemac.org.uk/">Cinemac Cinema</a>, whilst theatre productions are played out at the <a href="https://madstheatre.org/">MADS Theatre</a>, though Manchester’s thriving cultural scene is only 20 mins away by train. An absolute must during the summer months is outdoor theatre in the Elizabethan pleasure garden of Tudor manor house, <a href="https://gawsworthhall.com/theatre/">Gawsworth Hall</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Properties in Macclesfield had an overall average price of £281,998 over the last year. Terraced houses are worth around 208,815. Semis go for an average £284,378, with detached homes fetching £474,453.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">Hot property</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/4423_33363724_IMG_01_0000.jpeg" alt="house for sale in Macclesfield" class="wp-image-254" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/4423_33363724_IMG_01_0000.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/4423_33363724_IMG_01_0000-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/4423_33363724_IMG_01_0000-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A unique 5 bed family home with a premium postcode. <a href="https://jordanfishwick.co.uk/property/west-bank-road-macclesfield/">On the market for £995,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.macclesfielddaynursery.co.uk/">Macclesfield Day Nursery</a> takes children from 3 mths – 5 yrs where kids pad about its extensive garden. There’s also <a href="https://www.ninasnursery.co.uk/our-nurseries/macclesfield/">Nina’s Montessori Nursery</a> with forest school sessions, yoga and mindfulness, and <a href="https://footprintsnurseries.co.uk/">Footprints Day Nursery</a> rated Outstanding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>One of the most prestigious schools in Cheshire, <a href="https://www.kingsmac.co.uk/">King’s School</a> is a co-ed private day school, ranked 4th in The Times Top 10 Independent Schools in the Northwest 2024. Elsewhere, the small <a href="https://www.wincleprimaryschool.org/">Wincle CofE Primary</a> is rated Good by Ofsted, and there’s also <a href="https://prestbury.school/">Prestbury CofE Primary</a> (Good), <a href="https://www.rainbowprimary.com">Rainbow Primary School</a> (Outstanding) and <a href="https://www.ashgrove.cheshire.sch.uk">Ash Grove Academy</a> (Outstanding).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>High in the hills above Macclesfield, you’ll find the legendary Cat &amp; Fiddle pub with the oldest whiskey distillery in Britain at 1689 feet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Hop on the train at Macclesfield and you can be in Manchester city centre in 20 mins, or London Euston in just under 2 hrs.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 300 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Macclesfield

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