Didsbury lies seven kilometres south of Manchester City Centre and is divided into three distinct areas: East Didsbury, West Didsbury, and Didsbury Village.
West Didsbury is popular with those looking to commute to MediaCity as well as professionals and families who enjoy its lively atmosphere and community spirit. It has a proximity to the neighbouring towns of Withington and Cheadle, and the villages of Gatley and Heaton Moor.
Typical properties include converted Victorian houses, contemporary three storey apartment blocks and new-build properties which line West Didsbury’s famously leafy streets. The area is probably best known for its thriving nightlife and Burton Road especially has become a hot spot for South Manchester foodies.
The Metropolitan (or The Met as it’s known locally) marks the Lapwing Lane end in a building formerly occupied by a grand Victorian railway hotel. It has a lovely outdoor seating area and is well known for its Sunday roasts. Burton Road boasts excellent independent cafes and is a top brunch spot thanks to places such as Mary & Archies, Another Heart to Feed and ‘And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon.’
While away the evening in a medley of trendy bars and eateries offering Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Thai cuisine. Volta has won critical acclaim for its delicious cocktails and small plates, Sip wine bar offers over thirty different bottles, and Proove is the place for Neapolitan sourdough pizza. West Didsbury is also home to Green’s, the long-standing vegetarian restaurant co-owned by TV chef Simon Rimmer.
You’ll also find lots of boutique shops selling contemporary homeware, fashion, jewellery and gifts. The Epicurean is a haven for craft beer lovers and sells a wide range of beers, ales, and cider. West Didsbury was also where Reserve Wines first opened, owned by award winning wine merchant and TV presenter Kate Goodman, it now has shops in five other locations.
The area is well serviced with cute delicatessens including Fusion Deli and A Taste of Honey, but you can also stock up at the monthly Maker’s Market when it pops up on the last Sunday of the month on the corner of Burton Road and Nell Lane.
Sport and recreation are well covered with plenty of boutique gyms, yoga studios and classes in the area which also has its own local running club. The Northern is a racquets and fitness club on Palatine Road with a fitness suite, gym, workout studios and grass tennis court. Withington Baths is a community fitness centre in a recently restored Edwardian bath house further down Burton Road which also has a pool, gym, sauna and two studios.
Local activity groups include the Didsbury Arts Cafe, a book club and various musical clubs. There’s an annual Arts Festival, regular family festivals in nearby Wythenshawe Park, and many well organised community events throughout the year. The WDRA is the local residents’ association who work closely with local businesses and councillors to ensure that West Didsbury remains a desirable place to live. They also work to conserve local wildlife and protect the natural environment.
West Didsbury is home to many trees which you can see on every street and there are plenty of public parks and green open spaces including Parsonage Gardens, Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury Park, Cavendish Park, Fog Lane Park, Hough End Playing Fields and Marie Louise Gardens.
A Metrolink stop on Burton Road makes the area easy to get to via public transport and the 111 bus – which runs from Manchester City Centre to Chorlton – stops outside the Metropolitan pub.
West Didsbury’s excellent transport links, green spaces and blend of exciting independent venues and shops make it a popular destination for those looking to live in a vibrant trendy suburb with a real community spirit.
Eddie – July 2022.
