Alderley Edge

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Guide to Living in Alderley Edge

Alderley Edge

The picturesque village of Alderley Edge in Cheshire is nestled at the base of a dramatic, elevated sandstone ridge of the same name. Thousands of visitors flock to the Edge each year drawn by the legends and to enjoy the many fine walks and magnificent views across Cheshire and the Peak District. The village of Alderley Edge is easily accessible both by car and public transport and can be reached in only 20 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly station.

History

Prior to the mid-nineteenth century, Alderley Edge was an agricultural settlement known as Chorley, from ‘ceorl’ and ‘leah’, which meant a peasants’ clearing. With the arrival of the railway, wealthy families from around Manchester began to settle there. The hamlet expanded rapidly and in 1864 the town of Alderley Edge was officially formed – the change of name deemed desirable by the railway authorities to avoid confusion with Chorley in Lancashire.

The Legend

A curious local legend tells the story of a farmer who, on his way to Macclesfield market to sell his horse, encountered an old wizard. The wizard offered to buy the mare but the man refused, hoping to get a better price at the market. To the farmer’s disappointment, no buyer came forward. As the farmer returned home, the wizard was waiting for him and showed him a cave in which several knights were sleeping. All but one knight had a horse. The wizard explained that one day, when danger befell England, the army would rise and save the country.

The People

Home to around 5,000 inhabitants, Alderley Edge is a wealthy village enjoying extremely low unemployment and a thriving local economy. The high standard of living in the area has attracted several well-known residents over the years, perhaps the most famous being David and Victoria Beckham, who lived in Alderley Edge until David moved to Spain to play for Real Madrid in 2003.

Outdoor Activities

Alderley Edge is the perfect spot for all outdoor enthusiasts, offering a fine range of walks and activities. The Edge has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, SSSI, for its distinctive geology and has a long and colourful history, dating back to the Bronze Age. A popular choice for excursions from Manchester, the sandstone escarpment boasts the oldest copper mines in England.

For those favouring a flatter walk, the Alderley Edge Golf Course offers nine highly enjoyable holes; opened in 1907, this course boasts an excellent club house serving a range of post-golf refreshments. The golf course itself is situated in rolling meadowland and the double tee sets provide added variety to this demanding game.

If you prefer to watch other people building up a sweat, Alderley Edge is the perfect base from which to visit a Premiership football game. The village is home to several famous players and the famous Old Trafford ground, home to the world-renowned Manchester United, is only a short drive away.

Shopping

Alderley Edge is famously home to many Premiership footballers and their wives so it is not surprising that the opportunities for retail therapy in the area are diverse and bountiful. In the village itself there are a fine range of traditional local shops making a delightfully refreshing change from many small British towns today. London Road, next to the station, is the principal shopping street in the village and hosts a tempting range of cafés and restaurants to maintain your energy throughout the day.

If you are looking for big brand shopping, then head for the Trafford Centre, a short drive away on the outskirts of Manchester. This huge granite and marble construction is home to 230 stores offering a range of products from High Street favourites to the biggest designer fashion labels.

Nightlife

London Road in Alderley Edge is a great choice to begin your evening with a wide range of restaurants and bars to select from. There should be something to suit all tastes here, from slick, contemporary tapas bars and Indian treats to oriental and traditional English fare.

There is an enviable range of venues in Alderley Edge to enjoy a post-dinner drink or two and the possibility of spotting some famous faces certainly adds an extra level of excitement to any night out here. The Number 15 Wine Bar is an old favourite with the locals and offers a sophisticated environment in which to enjoy a fine range of world wines while watching the world go by.

With so much to offer both visitors and locals alike, Alderley Edge is an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts, socialites and families alike