Two Greater Manchester towns have been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
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 2024’s ranking has officially been published today – with a total of 72 locations making up the comprehensive guide, and seven of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
Knutsford in Cheshire, Kendal in Cumbria, and Ribble Valley in Lancashire are just three of the North West towns named by the publication in the 2024 list.
A spotlight has also been shone on Christleton in Cheshire, and Sefton Park in Liverpool.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all 72 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 more, to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Where is the best place to live in the UK in 2024?
According to our team of expert judges, North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland, has taken the crown. Here’s some of our top picks and findings from this year’s list 🧵
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) March 15, 2024
2024’s chosen locations come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny islands and remote villages, to bustling towns and big lively cities making the cut.
ADVERTISEMENT
But where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2024, 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 Stockport.
Stockport has been named the best place to live in the North West in The Sunday Times’ 2024 ranking (Credit: Stockport Market/Capital & Centric)
Stockport’s description in the publication reads: “The town in Greater Manchester is in the throes of a mighty metamorphosis that’s turning it into one of the most exciting towns around. The conversion of the vast Weir Mill into a new neighbourhood is well underway. The new Interchange project will link buses and trains around a new park while the historic streets around the Market Hall, and the Underbanks are filling up with a joyous collection of funky independent businesses.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s functional and family-friendly, too, with unbeatable rail connections, parks, sports clubs and good-value houses up and down the property ladder.”
And Stockport isn’t the only Greater Manchester town that’s been singled-out by The Sunday Times this year either, as the ever-changing and constantly-improving Bury town of Prestwich has also been given some praise.
Prestwich has also been praised by the publication as a sought-after UK town in 2024 / Credit: Martin & Co
The judges said: “Prestwich is where you come if you want to enjoy Manchester’s buzz and have an affordable redbrick house with a garden. There’s a lively restaurant scene, a choice of parks and plenty going on, and the tram makes getting to the city centre a doddle.”
The overall title of The Sunday Times’ Best Place to Live in 2024 has been given to North Berwick in East Lothian, so it’s a big win for the Scots this year.
Trafford Council temporarily bans barbecues, fireworks and more at key local attraction after Dovestone fires
Danny Jones
Trafford Council has issued a limited ban on barbecues, fireworks and more at the beloved public attraction and suburban hotspot, Sale Water Park, following the fires near Dovestone Reservoir.
Wildfires and areas of concern remain around the moorland region, which caught fire last weekend.
After a woman was arrested as part of a wider investigation into a group that accidentally caused the ignition, accidental or not, the Greater Manchester borough’s local authority has temporarily restricted BBQs, fireworks, and any other kinds of naked flame.
This is a proactive and preventive measure by the Council in an effort to avoid similar circumstances as those seen in the Saddleworth and Oldham vicinity, with the sight and smell of the smoke still lingering across the region.
Barbecues, fireworks and naked flames are temporarily restricted at Sale Water Park due to the increased fire risk during the hot and dry weather.
Please help us keep the park safe for visitors, wildlife and nearby communities.
As explained in the official update from Trafford Council, while local residents and tourists alike are welcome to bring picnics and cold beverages as they hope to both beat and enjoy the heat, a serious fire risk is still very much present.
Implementing the ban across Sale Water Park in an effort to protect native visitors, wildlife and nearby communities, increased police patrols will be dispatched across the 152-acre patch of grasslands and artificial lake.
While the Manc nature reserve and popular slice of countryside just beyond the outskirts of the city centre will still be open from “dawn until dusk” throughout the week, security staff will also be on site, ready on standby with water and sand available to safely extinguish any fires.
The Council has also reminded people to park responsibly and avoid blocking access routes in and around the parkland, as recent busy periods during the ongoing UK heatwave have led to congestion in and around the park, which can also delay emergency vehicles.
Visitors are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport where possible.
A Trafford Council spokesperson said in an official statement: “We want everyone to enjoy Sale Water Park safely. However, the current hot and dry conditions mean there is an increased risk of fire, particularly from barbecues, fireworks and naked flames.
“This temporary restriction is a proportionate step to protect people, wildlife and the park itself. Visitors are very welcome to bring cold picnics, but we are asking everyone not to bring or light barbecues while the restriction is in place.
“We’re also asking visitors to park considerately, keep access routes clear and take litter home if bins are full. To avoid the busiest times, people could consider visiting before 9am or later in the evening.”
As for the Dovestone and Tintwistle Moor blaze, the latest is that a suspect’s identity has now been revealed; you can find out more down below.
Featured Images — Namiras1 (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
News
Woman, 20, publicly named and charged with aggravated arson in relation to Dovestone moorland fire
Emily Sergeant
A woman who was arrested on suspicion of arson as part of the ongoing investigation into a large moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir has now been charged.
She has also been publicly named as 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
She has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and has been remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (14 July 2026).
After the blaze broke out on Saturday evening at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response that has now entered its third day, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“While we have secured charges against one individual, our investigation remains ongoing,” explained Detective Inspector Andrew Day. “Detectives are carefully reviewing all available evidence to identify anyone else who may have been involved in criminality linked to this incident.”
As criminal proceedings are now active, GMP says it would encourage people to ‘avoid speculation’ online, particularly on social media.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2024 
