Gatley is a beautifully sleepy but well-connected suburb in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, Greater Manchester – although historically, it once sat within the boundaries of Cheshire.
It is approximately 3 miles away from Manchester Airport, 5 miles west of Stockport, 5.5 miles east of Altrincham and 7 miles away from the centre of Manchester. Gatley is situated next to the popular towns of Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme, although the A34 divides them. The M60 motorway and the River Mersey separate Gatley from its slightly larger neighbour, Didsbury, while Heald Green lies to the south and Wythenshaw to the west and north-west.
Gatley boasts a number of independent retailers such as the ‘Magic Moments’ gift shop, second hand shop ‘Remember When’, and the eco-friendly ‘Gatley Refillery’ which stocks cruelty free, vegan and biodegradable household and personal care products to refill.
For grocery shopping there’s local butchers Jackson O’Malley and Mather’s Bakery and cafe as well as a Co-op and a Tesco Express. You’ll also find two large out of town shopping centres in close proximity; one with a John Lewis department store and a large Sainsburys supermarket, and the other, a Tesco Extra, Marks and Spencer, and Boots the chemist.
Gatley village is well serviced for hairdressers and beauty salons, along with a couple of decent pubs, a few coffee shops and a handful of well-regarded local restaurants. These including Piccolo Italian restaurant and bar, the Spanish Bodega, and the vegetarian Bhaji Pala although there are a few good takeaways in the area too. Locals and visitors are welcome to take advantage of the abundance of free on street parking.
Gatley has a total population of around nine thousand and is a popular location for families. Serving the area is one secondary school and four primary schools, and the independent Cheadle Hulme School is also nearby.
Property-wise, this suburb features a diverse range from one bed studio apartments to semi-detached houses up to six bed executive properties.
Its proximity to the motorway network and excellent transport links makes it a much sought-after area for commuters. Gatley has its own train station and Heald Green station is also nearby. Gatley is a stop on the Styal Line and offers relatively short journey times into Greater Manchester. The station is located on the A560 and provides a car park which is free of charge for all rail passengers.
Just over a mile away lies the Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre on the A34 Kingsway, incorporating a range of attractions including a multi-screen Cineworld, a casino, gym, bowling alley, a hotel and a number of well-known restaurants.
Gatley’s green spaces include Gatley Carrs which consists of 19 acres of woodland, scrubland and four acres of swamps and ponds. Gatley is also not too far from Scholes Park, Abney Hall Park and the beautiful grounds of Cheadle’s Bruntwood Park where you’ll find a large children’s play area, a world-class BMX racetrack and mature woodland.
Good schooling and an array of convenient amenities make Gatley an attractive place to live. It is adjacent to several other desirable towns and villages and offers an abundance of activities and green spaces to enjoy.
The village atmosphere, thriving community and fantastic transport links continue to draw residents from neighbouring suburbs and its clear to see why!
Eddie – March 2023.
