Woolton in Liverpool has become the perfect place to live in the Northwest, according to the annual Sunday Times live guide. The Times' expert team of judges visits hundreds of towns across the UK each year, compiling a list of popular locations with winners in all regions.
The judges praised Wooln as a “independent, oriented village” boasting trendy coffee shops, exceptional cheese shops and a great local pub. A Sunday Times panel commented: “It is within walking distance of the outskirts of Liverpool, where Lennon and McCartney first met. In the heart of the independently oriented village, there is an Elephant Pub and a belted neighbourhood booter at Bakehouse.
The review continued: “A great school, park, and even woodlands are brilliant, family-friendly places to take root.”
Menlobe Avenue in Woolton was the site of John Lennon's childhood home, and it was believed he first met Paul McCartney.
This year's Guide saw more new entries than ever before, with many previous winners, including York, Winchester in Hampshire and Altrinchum in Cheshire.
The standard focuses on “a thriving place with a strong sense of community” rather than famous areas with high real estate prices. Past recipients of the best places to live in British titles include North Barwick in Ilkley, West Yorkshire (2022), Waderst, East Sussex (2023), and East Lothian (2024).
Six other northwest locations are included in our comprehensive guide, crowning Essex Saffron Walden as the perfect place to live in the UK. The panel of judges visited all locations listed in the guide and assessed factors of range to transport from school, broadband speed, mobile signals to culture, access to green spaces and high street vitality.
The 72 selected locations vary widely from Scotland's Isle of Tilly and the remote Welsh village of Metrochog to the outskirts of bustling market towns and the suburbs of large, vibrant cities such as Leeds, Sheffield and London.
The Sunday Times editorial project director and the perfect place for live editors, Helen Davis commented on the importance of local communities amidst the global challenges. A new railway station.
Davis further explained the personality of the compiled list, saying, “What makes our guide unique is visiting all the places we actually choose, talking to locals and finding things that really resemble life. That means people can see what they really like about where they live.
She also highlighted the importance of community involvement in creating desirable living spaces. “High street health is important, but most of all, what we are looking for is a town, village or city with strong communities that work hard to make the most of where they live and play hard.
“We also consider affordability. High housing prices are not a barrier to inclusion, as long as they provide value for money. We look for different qualities when different people choose where to live.
The complete list of North West Locations includes:
Liverpool, Wooln (regional winner)
Heaton, Greater Manchester
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Nottsford, Cheshire
Malpus, Cheshire
Mosley, Greater Manchester
