I went to village voted best place to live – ‘houses sell in seconds’ | Travel News | Travel

The charming suburb of Woolton in Liverpool has been crowned the best place to live in the North West, and it’s not hard to see why. With its historic allure and bustling independent businesses, Woolton has long been a magnet for visitors from near and far.

Steeped in history dating back to the 12th century, a stroll through Woolton feels like a journey back in time. The area was once the stomping ground of the late John Lennon, drawing Beatles enthusiasts from all corners of the world. Visitors flock to the area to explore Lennon’s childhood home on Menlove Avenue and other iconic landmarks such as Eleanor Rigby’s grave at St Peter’s Church.

Lennon’s home was situated near the Salvation Army’s children’s home Strawberry Field, which inspired one of The Beatles’ most famous songs. It is also believed that Lennon first met Paul McCartney at the Woolton Village Fete in 1957.

Today, Woolton Village offers an array of independent shops, eateries, pubs and cafes, many of which have been serving customers for generations.

Now, the area has received national recognition as the top place to live in the North West in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide for 2025.

The guide, published today, March 21, features 72 locations across the UK. Following Woolton in the list are other North West spots including The Heatons in Greater Manchester and Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria.

The Sunday Times’s expert panel scoured the nation, evaluating everything from schooling and connectivity to culture and greenery, ultimately praising one Liverpool suburb where Lennon and McCartney first crossed paths. The Sunday Times judges remarked: “Everything is within walking distance in the Liverpool suburb where Lennon and McCartney met for the first time.”

They lauded its village heart for its eclectic mix of trendy cafés, a top-notch cheese shop, and stylish cocktail lounges, not to mention the local favourite Elephant Pub and Bakehouse. They described it as an idyllic spot for families, boasting superb schools, parks, and even a slice of woodland.

As temperatures soared, the Liverpool ECHO team visited Woolton Village to discover what locals cherish about their home. Outside the newly opened Italian eatery Botanico, lifelong friends Peter Stewart-Doyle and Phil Rimmer shared their decades-long connection to the “quaint” village.

Peter, 66, recounted to the ECHO: “We’ve met here every week for something to eat since we retired and we’ve grown up around this area from when we were teenagers – drinking around the village and socialising around the village.”

He added: “We’ve lived around this area more or less all our lives and we know the people. They’re friendly and the village is nice to socialise in. It’s the variety of restaurants and pubs.”

Phil, 68, who has resided in Woolton for about 40 years, shared that there’s an abundance of dining options and places to celebrate life’s milestones due to its charming selection of restaurants.

“We’ve both got children and you have birthdays, anniversaries and there’s just a wide choice of restaurants and places to go and celebrate. There’s so many nice places to go to.”

In his conversation with the ECHO, Phil reminisced about his long-standing connection to the community, highlighting his favourite haunts like The Elephant, where he rubbed shoulders with local football legends. “I’ve been a member of the village club for 30 odd years and we grew up going to The Elephant and all the pubs round here.”

Phil said, adding: “The Elephant has always been a soft spot for me. We used to go there when all the footballers lived up this area and you always used to see the old Liverpool and Everton players.”

He believes that Woolton strikes the perfect balance between traditional charm and modern amenities.

“I think it’s got that blend. It’s olde-worlde with a little bit of modern. The pubs and bars and restaurants are good and even when I was a child, we had the baths then and we used to go there. It’s got everything really, it’s a nice centre.”

Beyond the vibrant social scene, Phil is drawn to the historical beauty of Woolton. He remarked on the appeal of strolling through Church Road and the area, admiring its exquisite architecture.

“When you walk up Church Road and around this area, there’s some lovely buildings – it’s a good place to be.”

Reflecting on his own upbringing in Wavertree, in a small terrace house, Phil acknowledges the advancements across various Liverpool neighbourhoods. However, he maintains that Woolton has consistently held an edge as a top choice for living standards.

“I was born and brought up in Wavertree in a little terrace house with an outside toilet and no bathroom and some of the areas of Liverpool have come on leaps and bounds. There are a lot of places in Liverpool like Mossley Hill, Wavertree now, Childwall which have started to come up. But I think Woolton has always had the edge of it being a decent place to live. I’d definitely encourage anyone to live up here.”

Basking in the Woolton sunshine, newcomer Gina McIntosh shared her instant enchantment with the village after recently moving in. Chatting to the ECHO, Gina, 57, gushed: “I just love it, I’m just glad we moved up here – it’s gorgeous.

“It’s got absolutely everything. It’s got your restaurants, your pubs, your parks. Even outside the centre of the village you’ve got Speke, Edge Lane, the airport – everything is on your doorstep.”

Convinced Woolton ranks as one of the best places to reside, Gina elaborated on its abundant offerings: “It’s olde-worlde, edgy. You only have to walk through it and just take it all in. I still love taking in the little picture box houses and everything.”

Relaying a familial anecdote, she said: “When we moved my sister-in-law came over to meet me just for a day trip from Ireland and she was like ‘I can’t believe you’ve moved here, it’s absolutely lovely.’ You just need to come and see and find out for yourself.”

Long-term resident David Bolland reflected on transformations he’s witnessed since his childhood in Woolton. Expressing a desire for further enhancements to make it “even nicer”, he championed south Liverpool for its impressive swathes of greenery.

David, 63, shared his thoughts with the ECHO: “‘I think certain people in Liverpool don’t even know Woolton Village exists, or even south Liverpool. It’s a lovely place to live. Trying to buy a house in Woolton is quite hard because I tried years ago and every time I went for one it was sold in seconds. You have got a good mixture of businesses.

“Personally I think there were more businesses, like toy shops and bike shops when I was a child and you had the swimming baths which is no longer going as well. I’ve always liked the greenspaces around here – you’ve got numerous parks, about six parks around Woolton Village, which is fabulous.”

Nestled within Woolton Village lies one of Liverpool’s oldest cinematic treasures: the Woolton Picture House. Established on Mason Street in 1927, it has been closed since the inception of the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

Nevertheless, it holds a special place in the hearts of locals like Peter and David, who along with many others, eagerly anticipate its reopening.

Over time, this historical village has blossomed into a focal point for independent businesses, offering everything from charming boutiques and family-owned eateries to cosy cafes. Additionally, Woolton Village boasts an impressive array of pubs situated throughout, including favourites such as the White Horse, The Cobden, The Coffee House, and several others.

Woolton Village, a gem in Liverpool’s crown, boasts a rich tapestry of independent businesses that have become local institutions over the decades. Among them are the Liverpool Cheese Company, The Scotch Beef Shop, Annetta Florist, The Elephant Pub and Bakehouse, and Ying Wah.

The village also plays host to a variety of venues including The Liberty Tavern, The Pickled Olive, Istanbul Bar and Grill, The Village Takeaway, Buongiorno, Botanico, and Appebite Bistro.

Over the past year, Woolton Village has seen the arrival of new culinary delights such as Tathastu Restaurant, Il Gusto, and the hidden gem, Woolton Farm Shop, nestled just off Woolton Street. A cornerstone of the community, the Liverpool Cheese Company, has been serving cheese aficionados for nearly two decades under the stewardship of Ian Tomlinson and Vickie Anderson, who are not only business owners but long-time residents of Woolton.

Vickie Anderson shared her love for the village with the ECHO, describing it as “vibrant, quaint and urban” and she believes it stands out as one of the best places to live. She expressed her fondness for Woolton: “We live in a city – but it’s a village within the city – so you have the best of both worlds really.”

She continued to praise the area, saying: “It’s very pretty, it’s quaint, the buildings are lovely and there’s lots of nice green spaces. There’s some nice little shops and restaurants. I remember when I moved to Liverpool and came to Woolton for the first time. I was quite excited that this place existed.”

Vickie highlighted the draw of their unique offerings: “People come from quite a long way but people come quite a long way to this shop because we do things like cheese wedding cakes. People come quite far and stay for a day out and think ‘where else can I go and visit in the village?'”.

Woolton has been crowned the best place to live in the North West, with locals and business owners alike singing its praises. A long-standing resident remarked, “There’s a large number of business that were here when we came, like the butchers. There’s a lot of continuity there. I live here, I’ve lived here for 19 years. I have no intention of moving.”

Buongiorno, an Italian deli owned by Carmelo and Kristiina Giallombarodo, is another gem in Woolton, having opened its doors three years ago.

Carmelo, 42, shared with the ECHO: “The area is really really nice. There is a big community around here and they really support independents, businesses like us or businesses who have been here for a long time, like the butchers next door.”

He continued, praising the village’s charm: “The village itself is really pretty. In walking distance you can go to a lot of restaurants or little independent shops. It’s perfect for young couples or anybody really. I would definitely recommend Woolton as a place to move to.”

Carmelo also expressed pride in Woolton’s recent accolade: “Being named the best place to live in the North West – it’s a really good achievement. People come from all around Liverpool, as well as from outside.”