Beautiful tree lined streets and large Victorian terraced properties, Edwardian architecture, character and charm. Chorlton is a small suburban area located 3 miles South West of the Manchester City Centre and borders Stretford, Sale, Didsbury, Withington, and Whalley Range.
Recently voted within the top 10 of ‘Manchester’s Most Desirable Places To Live’, Chorlton boasts a strong sense of community, rich in history, culture and lifestyle.
Historically, Chorlton was a village on Lancashire’s southern border with Cheshire, and a township within the ancient parish of Manchester. It was incorporated into the city of Manchester in 1904.
This leafy and fashionable suburb is a property hotspot with great local amenities that feels a world away from Manchester city centre – which is only fifteen minutes away.
The bustling and trendy area is a haven for boutique shops and delis. Locals can buy fresh fish and seafood from Out of the Blue, artisan cheese from Chorlton Cheesemongers, meat from Frost’s the Butcher and stock up on wholesome and organic ingredients from the Unicorn Grocery – although there is a Morrison’s and a Home Bargains for everyday shopping needs.
Non-food shops include Chorlton Bookshop, lifestyle stores, sustainable fashion boutiques, art galleries, jewellery and gift shops. There’s also a regular monthly Maker’s Market where local producers sell everything from local honey to hand made greeting cards.
The Epicurean, Tiny’s Tipples, Carrington’s and Epicerie Ludo will keep you stocked up with an excellent range of beers and wines, but there are also lots of great local bars and pubs in the area. Some folks even reckon it’s the best suburb in Greater Manchester for a pint and Chorlton hosts a popular beer and cider festival every year. Excellent local bars such as Henry C, Mary and Archie, and Laundrette make sure cocktail drinkers are well catered for. Many pubs and bars also feature pleasant beer gardens and outdoor terraces.
Chorlton has a great café culture and you’re never too far from an excellent coffee shop or restaurant which range from tapas to Turkish and Tibetan and everything in between. The leafy area around Beech Road towards Chorlton Green is especially popular with young professionals and families thanks to its colourful range of shops, bars, pubs and restaurants. Chorlton also boasts several schools rated by Ofstead as good or outstanding.
Throughout the year you’ll find a wide range of classes and workshops being held in the area including meditation, mindfulness and yoga which has contributed to Chorlton’s reputation for being Bohemian. In fact, many notable creatives have lived here at one time including The Bee Gees, Badly Drawn Boy and Morrisey.
The M21 postcode also has great public transport links into Manchester, which is only three miles away. It’s well serviced by a regular bus service and three Metrolink tram stops; the main Chorlton stop, St Werbergh’s Road, and Firswood.
Although Chorlton is a vibrant suburb, you’ll find lots of green spaces and well-loved community allotments. Chorlton Water Park is a popular place for dog walkers and cyclists and there’s plenty of space to chill out and have a picnic by the river Mersey on sunny days. There are cycling routes, children’s play areas, courts for tennis and basketball, football pitches, and an area for skating. There are similar facilities in neighbouring Stretford’s Longford Park and Sale Water Park which share borders with Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve is ideal for a spot of peaceful reflection.
Chorlton has an excellent community spirit and hosts regular events. Culture vultures flock to the area for Chorlton’s annual art and book festivals and the suburb has a reputation for its liberal and tolerant attitude. You’ll find many different house styles and sizes to choose from, many with a large garden attached and there’s usually plenty of street parking available. Chorlton has a good social mix of long-term residents and young families who support its quirky independent spirit.
Chorlton’s blend of architecture, green spaces and excellent transport links to Manchester City centre entice new residents looking for laid back City culture while remaining Distinctly Manchester – it’s clear to see why Chorlton and Chorlton Green have captured the hearts of city dwellers looking for suburban living.
Eddie – June 2022.
