Ever wondered what that cute little cottage next to Dukes 92 overlooking the canal is all about?
If you’ve ever been to that area of Castlefield before in the city centre, then we bet you’ve clocked it.
It does stick out a bit, let’s be honest, but in the best way possible. Contrasting with the modernity of the overlooking Beetham Tower right on its doorstep, it remains a beautiful snapshot of cultural history amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
You’ve probably thought up a couple of questions around it over the years too – Who lives there? What does it look like inside? Wait, is it even a house? Yes, we can confirm it is a real house and we’ve stumbled across it listed on Airbnb too, which essentially means, the answer to the question of ‘who lives there’, could be you.
Well, for a little bit at least.
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Lock Keepers Cottage is a “historic property on the Rochdale Canal in Castlefield” that actually dates as far back as the 1800’s and has still kept many of the original features intact and restored within the property.
According to the description on Airbnb, “not only does this property offer you privacy in the city, but it’s a stones throw from many local transport links and Manchester nightlife”, which makes it “ideal for couples, small groups, families and business travellers”.
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When you book the Lock Keepers Cottage on Airbnb, you’ll get access to the whole house.
The two-floored property has three bedrooms – two doubles and one single – a large, open-plan kitchen/diner, two separate reception rooms and a host of amenities throughout including, free WiFi, plenty of storage space for your luggage and complementary tea, coffee and biscuits provided.
The kitchen conservatory is said to “flood the house with natural light, so you can relax during your stay and enjoy your own corner of peace in the city”.
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There’s also a beautiful garden overlooking lock 92 along the iconic Rochdale Canal too.
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This really sounds like the perfect place for a city break ‘staycation’, doesn’t it?
If you’re looking for a bit more information, fancy having a read of the hundreds of positive reviews left for the property and host from previous happy visitors, or are keen to book/enquire about potential booking dates in the future, then you can find the Lock Keepers Cottage on Airbnb here.
Property
Greater Manchester could be getting a new town under ‘ambitious’ Government housebuilding programme
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester could be getting a new town under an ‘ambitious’ proposed Government housebuilding programme.
Manchester Victoria North is one of seven new towns that have been proposed.
Named for consideration as part of what the Government is referring to as the most ambitious housebuilding programme in more than half a century, the locations of seven new towns have been revealed this week, and also include other northern locations like Leeds South Bank, as well as places in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, and Greenwich.
The Government says that the next generation of new towns are to be ‘built for the future from the ground up’.
They will create well-connected new communities with homes, jobs, schools, green spaces, and suitable transport links planned from the start.
Each proposed location is expected to deliver at least 10,000 homes – with several delivering 40,000 or more in the decades to come.
Greater Manchester could be getting a new town / Credit: Manchester City Council
All seven of the proposed new towns are set to be designed for modern everyday life, the Government insists – with neighbourhoods that people can easily get around without a car, incorporating shared green spaces and ‘vibrant’ high streets.
As part of the Manchester Victoria North proposals announced this week, at least 15,000 homes regenerating the heart of Greater Manchester are to be built, with a new Metrolink stop connecting residents to jobs across the city.
“People want real change,” explained Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. “They want homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities.
“Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future.
“From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together, so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.”
Alongside the new towns consultation, the Government has also confirmed today that the National Housing Bank will launch on 1 April, backed by up to £16 billion of financial capacity and aiming to deliver over 500,000 new homes.
The Government has also confirmed additional support worth up to £400 million over the next decade for ‘subsidised products’.
Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Property
Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2020 
