Altrincham has been named the best place to live in the North West of England in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide, published today.
The town is one of 72 locations featured in the annual guide, with an abridged version due to appear as a magazine supplement this Sunday. It is the first time Altrincham has featured on the prestigious list since 2022.
The Sunday Times describes the town as "classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable" and a "top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands," namechecking Marks & Spencer, Flannels, Waterstones and Everyman Cinema.
The guide highlights the arrival of co-working on the high street, with three floors of workspace at Foundation in the former Rackhams department store.
On Altrincham's growing cultural scene, the guide notes that Oyez Arts has taken over the town hall with exhibitions, arts and crafts and a film club. It was yesterday confirmed as the new long-term tenant for the historic building.
Simon Hepburn, owner of Share Your Story, told the paper: "We've had an art trail from the town hall across 37 town-centre locations. There are galleries, cinemas and theatres, and many creative activities, from pottery to sewing, film photography to cartoon drawing."
Fitness gets a strong showing too. The guide reports that move Altrincham leisure centre - which reopened in August 2025 after a £20 million revamp by Trafford Leisure - now boasts two pools, a spa, a four-court sports hall and a cycle studio, with a café run by local business Most Bakery. It also mentions the popularity of Altrincham Golf Course & Driving Range.
The guide's "Be Seen In" pick is Kickback Coffee at the Arches by the Bridgewater Canal, where it sits among "a cluster of funky businesses" including Bee Strong women's gym wear and EZ Hampers.
For food, Market House is flagged as a must, as is Bar Etna on Stamford New Road.
The market earns praise as a shopping destination, and the guide also highlights Lovingly Artisan, the Lake District-based bakery with a presence at the market, which won four awards at the Guild of Fine Food's Great Taste Awards in 2025. The Irish Deli, sister business to Kennedy's pub, also gets a mention for bringing a taste of Ireland to the town.
On schools, the guide cites how Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is named The Sunday Times Parent Power State Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest 2026 for both overall performance and academic excellence, with Altrincham Grammar School for Boys ranks 33rd nationally among selective schools, and Loreto Grammar at 60th.
The average house price is listed as £593,100 (source: Lloyds Banking Group), with the guide noting that The Downs offer Georgian and Victorian terraced properties at around £700,000, while the grandest homes around Wainwright Road, Gorsey Lane and Harrington Road fetch between £3 million and £4 million.
Norwich was named the overall winner of the 2026 guide. Other North West locations recognised include Aigburth in Liverpool, Didsbury, Eden Valley, Lancaster and Macclesfield.
