“Not bad for a place that was named the least cultured town in England two decades ago”
Macclesfield, Cheshire has been named one of the Best Places to Live in the UK by the Sunday Times for 2026(Image: MEN)
It’s a town that has been hailed one of the “best places to live in the UK” this year by the Sunday Times. And according to that report, Macclesfield has “what it takes to keep everyone happy.”
The historic former silk mill town, with its dramatic hill-side location, steep cobblestone streets and views out to the Peak District, has found itself in the spotlight for all the right reasons with the new study. And it signals quite the turnaround for a market town that has had not such flattering headlines in the recent past.
As The Sunday Times guide states: “Not bad for a place that was named the least cultured town in England two decades ago”.
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While the historic silk mills have long stopped producing, the legacy remains in what is still fondly called “Silk Town”. The mills themselves still loom large, repurposed for new businesses and homes, while Paradise Mill retains “internationally-significant” original machinery and materials as part of the town’s Silk Museum.
Macclesfield, from Bunkers Hill(Image: MEN)
Part of the town’s appeal is its location – just 20 minutes from Manchester and 1hr and 45 minutes from London – while also offering unrivalled access to the Peak District and spectacular landscapes of Tegg’s Nose, Macclesfield Forest and Shutlingsloe – known as “Cheshire’s Matterhorn”.
The full listing in the Best Places to Live guide says of the town: “With one muddy boot in the Peak District and one designer loafer in Cheshire’s golden triangle, Macclesfield has what it takes to keep everyone happy.
“Schools, tick; trains to Manchester and London, tick; attractive and accessible town centre and life’s big necessities – a hospital and supermarkets – tick, tick, tick. Oh, and a football team that got to the fourth round of the FA Cup, tick.”
The Castle pub (on the left) with view up to the church in Macclesfield town centre(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
It continues: “It’s an unshowy place compared with look-at-me neighbours such as Alderley Edge and Wilmslow and houses are still relatively affordable.
“But there’s always been prosperity here, first as the world’s largest producer of silk; now as a centre of the pharmaceutical industry.
“The town’s rich history is on display everywhere, from the oversized Victorian town hall complete with royal throne (a loo built for a visit by Princess Elizabeth, the future queen, in 1949) and labyrinthine old pubs to the mural of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, who grew up here.”
That Ian Curtis mural, by acclaimed street artist Akse, looms large on Mill Street. The haunting image of the Joy Division singer in black and white sits in stark contrast to the garish mini mart based beneath it.
The striking Ian Curtis mural in Macclesfield, the town where he grew up(Image: MEN)
Head round the corner onto Chestergate and you can find more murals to Curtis, both outside and inside the Proper Sound vinyl and music memorabilia store that celebrates all things Joy Division and Manchester music.
The store is one of the many recommended a visit in the Sunday Times guide. Owner Lucie Wright says: “Proper Sound has been part of Macclesfield for nearly five years now.
“What started as a small idea has grown into a space that blends music, culture and community. We sell T-shirts and artwork, serve coffee and drinks, and host regular music events that bring people together.
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“We’ve been incredibly well received by both locals and visitors, and we regularly see people travelling from across the UK and even internationally, particularly because of Macclesfield’s connection to Joy Division. Our DJ nights also draw people in from Greater Manchester, which has helped position the town as part of a wider music and cultural circuit.”
Lucie also lives in Macclesfield and says she’s not surprised it has made the guide this year. She says: “For me, Macclesfield strikes a really special balance. You’ve got a strong independent spirit, friendly people, and a real sense of heritage, but you’re also right on the edge of the Peak District, which offers an immediate escape into nature.
“That mix of creativity, history and access to the outdoors is what makes it such a great place to live and build something.
“It’s been amazing to be part of that and to contribute to the town’s evolving cultural scene.”
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Also mentioned in the guide is bakery Flour Water Salt, hailed: “one of the best cafe/bakeries in the north of England”.
On a Thursday lunchtime, the place is packed – with many of its pastries already sold out when we arrive.
Manager Toby Johnston, 25, said the Sunday Times mention comes at a time when community spirit is high in the town. He said: “It’s bustling at the minute. For a town with a high street that should be dying, we sell out of bread and pastries every day, you could not see that happening in every town.”
Toby lives in Manchester and commutes to Macclesfield each day. He said: “More people in Manchester should know about Macclesfield, because it’s a great day out with all the hills and scenery around here and only 22 minutes on the train from Piccadilly.”
The Flour, Water, Salt bakery on Market Place where a number of independent bars and restaurants can be found(Image: MEN)
While the town has plenty of independent coffee shops, there was something of an outcry when it was announced that London chain Gail’s was planning to open on Chestergate last year. The town’s indies called on residents to support them, and it appears they’ve done just that.
Toby says: “There’s loads of independents in Macclesfield so there was a lot of push back when Gail’s opened, but people here are keen to support local business. Ironically since they’ve [Gail’s] opened we’ve had the highest footfall we’ve ever had here.”
Other businesses given shout out by the Sunday Times guide include the “excellent” Cheshire Fish shop, the Button Warehouse bar, Cinemac cinema and menswear at John Douglas.
Arighi Bianchi is a Macclesfield landmark(Image: Macclesfield)
The imposing Arighi Bianchi furniture store is described as a “local landmark and first port of call when the real Housewives of Cheshire are seeking furniture.” The business was founded some 170 years ago and is still run by the Bianchi family.
As well as the plush furnishings across the Grade II former mill, there’s also a popular cafe and restaurant inside the site too.
The monthly Treacle Market was also praised in the report, stating: “You’ll find as many as 10,000 people enjoying live music and entertainment while browsing 200 stalls selling everything from local foods and crafts to books and clothes.” The last market ran on Sunday, with the next to take place on Sunday, April 26.
JD Sports has now closed, as has the M&S store next door(Image: MEN)
Despite the positives, there’s no getting away from the fact there are also empty units on the high street here. Residents here bemoan the loss of the Marks and Spencer on Mill Street four years ago (it has since opened an M&S Food store on the Barracks Mill retail park) but the units remain empty.
Only last week the neighbouring JD Sports store to it on Mill Street also closed, to the shock of shoppers.
One business owner, who asked not to be named, said: “Most visitors who come to Macclesfield absolutely love it, but the reality is mid-week trade is challenging, and more could be done to help that.
“We’ve lost two big names in M&S and JD Sports, and you need to have names to attract people into the town centre.
“The community is great, and with a bit of TLC the town centre could be even better.”
What it costs to live there
Houses in Macclesfield are in high demand(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
With an average house price of £407,300, it’s slightly more affordable than other north west places that make the list like Altrincham (£593,100) and Didsbury (£409,000). The town boasts an array of attractive Victorian villas and semi-detached homes.
Best addresses in the Sunday Times list are described as King’s Gate, the huge redevelopment of the former King’s School which includes heritage conversions as well as a host of new builds.
Or it also suggests “head towards Bollington or Prestbury”. They are both villages a drive out of Macclesfield centre, and you”ll be paying a considerable amount more to live there.