The vibrant market town of Altrincham has been named the Best Place to Live 2026 in the North West by The Sunday Times, cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic communities.

Described by The Times as “classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable,” Altrincham is celebrated as “a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands… now flying even higher.” The town’s unique blend of creativity, commerce, and community spirit continues to attract residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs alike.

A Thriving High Street and Business Scene

Altrincham’s high street is a standout success story, combining household names such as Marks & Spencer, Flannels, Waterstones and Everyman Cinema with a flourishing independent sector.

A key highlight is Foundation, a major redevelopment of the former Rackhams department store. The venue now offers three floors of co-working space alongside leisure attractions including a bowling alley and the popular Yum Cha.

Culture and Creativity on the Rise

Altrincham’s cultural scene is also booming. Oyez Arts has revitalised the town hall with exhibitions, arts and crafts, and a film club, while creative hubs such as Share Your Story are helping residents explore storytelling through video, photography, podcasting and writing.

Owner Simon Hepburn commented:
“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, Leisure and Community Investment

Investment in health and wellbeing is another factor behind the town’s success. Move Altrincham reopened in August 2025 following a £20 million transformation by Trafford Leisure, supported by Sport England. The centre features state-of-the-art facilities including pools, a spa, sports hall and cycle studio, as well as a café operated by local favourite Most Bakery.

Meanwhile, Altrincham Golf Course & Driving Range has seen record engagement, with more than 1.76 million balls hit in 2025 and a notably membership base.

A Food and Retail Destination

Food lovers are drawn to Market House, home to popular eateries including Tender Cow and Honest Crust. Meanwhile, Bar Etna brings authentic Sicilian flavour to the town, importing pistachios from Mount Etna and preparing fresh pasta daily.

Shoppers can explore Altrincham Market, which runs on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and hosts dozens of traders offering fresh produce, artisan goods and unique gifts. Award-winning bakery Lovingly Artisan and specialist retailer The Irish Deli, known for authentic Irish products including Barry’s Tea, Tayto crisps and traditional soda bread, add further depth to the town’s retail offering.

A Town on the Upswing

With its blend of heritage, innovation and strong community spirit, Altrincham continues to evolve while retaining its character. As The Times recognition highlights, this North West gem is not just thriving – it’s setting the standard.