With the award-winning market, excellent shops, a host of independent restaurants, pubs, bars and year-round events, there’s plenty to see and do in Altrincham and Hale.
From its Market Charter in 1290 to being twice crowned Best Place to Live in the North West by the Sunday Times, the area brings in visitors from near and far.
There is a strong sense of community among residents too– with groups across Bowdon, Dunham, Timperley, Broadheath, Hale, and Altrincham centre itself, dedicated to sports, music, theatre and the creative arts.
ALEX MCCANN
'Altrincham is such a good place for food and drink – we're spoiled for choice here,' says Alex McCann, journalist and owner of Altrincham HQ, a social media management and training company (altrinchamhq.co.uk).
'My number one choice has to be Essence, which is based a short walk out of the town centre. It's a traditional Indian restaurant that has been in the same family for more than 30 years. It's been the setting for virtually every family birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day for as long as I can remember.
'Other than that, as I'm vegan, I choose places that offer a wide vegan range –WowYauChow, Nahm Prik and Gonbay are all wonderful places I visit with friends.
'There are also so many great businesses away from the Market Quarter and town centre that just don't get a look in. My advice for everyone in Altrincham is to truly explore your hometown and Greater Altrincham from Broadheath to Bowdon and all in between.
There's an old-school Chinese takeaway called Chopstick House on Moss Lane. It's only a two-minute walk from Tesco and it's such good value. Don't expect artisan or hipster from it, but it's great food.
'I stopped drinking alcohol a few years ago now, but you still can't beat people watching from the Con Club on a summer's day.'
When he's not busy working on projects for clients including the BBC, Manchester City, the NHS and Selfridges, Alex is an avid reader, so is a regular at Waterstones on George Street.
'Even though I work in tech I can't bring myself to buy a Kindle,' he says. 'I still like the touch and feel of a paper book. Looking around my room the books are taking over so I probably need to investigate some home interiors shops for more bookshelves.'
He's also a keen runner: I'd advise a visitor to bring their running gear for a 10km from Altrincham Interchange to Dunham Massey and back to gear them up for a day of good food.
After the run, we'd have pastries for breakfast from MOST Bakery, then pop across the road to Memories Café where you can get your face or business logo put on the top of a latte. We'd have a mooch around the Stamford Quarter and George Street with a stop-off at Waterstones to pick up a book.
'Then a short walk out of the town centre for a walk in Stamford Park or John Leigh Park before heading back to have a few drinks and people watch at the Con Club.
'After, we'd walk down to Essence to have a curry night.'
EMMA FEENEY & NATALIE BRINDLE
'Altrincham has some amazing spots for shopping,' says Emma Feeney, co-owner of The Mum Club Hale, which focuses on bringing together women who just so happen to be mums. 'You've got your main high street stores, Flannels for fashion, and but we absolutely love going around the market and seeing and supporting small businesses. It's also fab there for picking up fresh bread, fruit and veg and we love the flowers from Blooming Plants and Flowers.'
Together with Natalie Brindle, Emma organises events across Hale and Altrincham where mums and their children make new friends and get out and about.
'Our aim is to open our arms and hearts to women in all walks of motherhood and provide a space where mums can feel supported, make important friendships, and most importantly make time for themselves,' says Natalie.
'We were passionate about doing something that worked around our families as opposed to working our families around work.
Emma adds: 'We adore planning events and bringing mums together.'
Living in the area, as well as researching the best venues for events, means they are often out and about, trying new places and making sure they are child-friendly and fun.
'Dunham Massey always has a piece of our heart,' says Emma. 'Nat and I often meet there with the kids and just let them run free and play in the trees and see the amazing wildlife. We are so lucky in Cheshire to have access to so many stunning parks and nature walks.
'We often go out with our kids so we love casual places that work for us all,' adds Natalie.
'Altrincham market is a huge favourite. We adore the food at Jackalope in Sale, sunshine drinks outside the Stamford in Bowdon and Bean & Brush for painting and eating which is fab fun for the kids.'
They are also both keen to support the many small independent businesses popping up across Altrincham and Hale and to seek out hidden gems off the beaten track.
'Into The Wild (tucked away in the woods between Bowdon and Ashley) is beautiful all year round, with hot chocolates in the winter after a frosty walk down and playing in the trees and the play area with an ice cream on sunnier days,' says Natalie.
Altrincham has changed so much over the past decade and for the better. With Altrincham Market bringing life to the town, many other amazing restaurants bars and retailers have popped up. Once the old Rackhams building development is completed and opened (creating a collaborative workspace and leisure destination), that will be another amazing transformation for the area.'
instagram.com/themumclubhale
DAVID ZUCKER
David Zucker, chair of Hale and district’s U3A, the university of the third age, praises the spirit of community in Hale and Altrincham: 'We are fortunate there are some very supportive local businesses who allow groups to use their premises,' he says. The group has more than 900 members, spread across Hale, Altrincham and the surrounding area, and offers more than 80 activity groups, with sessions for everything from ancestry to yoga.
‘Everything is run by volunteers,’ says David. ‘We’re lucky, it’s a busy area with lots of talent to draw on, including retired teachers and lecturers and people with experience of running activities and leading groups.
‘My background is in business, so when we needed a chair – the constitution says it must rotate – I stepped in. I have some experience chairing meetings and administration, so it’s not too bad. I joined the group to play ukulele, initially, and my wife Jennifer and I still play in one of the three groups we have here.
‘I’ve also started going to the cryptic crossword group, and I enjoy the social events. The hardest bit is choosing which activities not to do. I could easily do half a dozen more if I had time. The other day I met with the leader of a new history group we’re starting up, and it sounded so interesting I’m tempted to join that one too.’
Members pay £12 a year with an initial fee of £3. Everyone volunteers their time, putting on education, creative and leisure activities, together with social events such as quizzes, dances, and wine tasting, holidays and outings. Monthly talks take place at the Bowdon Rugby Club.
'We use lots of local businesses – it might be that a pub hosts some groups, at what is a quiet time of day for them,' says David. 'They get more drinks sales and we have a space to meet, so it works for everyone. The painting group meets in the Tesco Community Rooms. The knitting group meets in a coffee house in Hale, my cryptic crosswords was meeting at Dobbies, but it’s grown so we just moved to the Griffin pub.’
‘There's a tremendous amount of loneliness out there,’ says David. ‘It’s hard, particularly when you retire. Family might have moved away, or a spouse has died.
'It's much easier to socialise in a group where there’s a common bond. Plus, we’re doing physical activities and there’s mental stimulation. It’s really important to get up and out and have some fun.’
hale.u3asite.uk
