We all know Greater Manchester is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods and residential areas to suit every need.
But one area, in particular, has just been named among the best in the UK to raise a family.
Fresh off the back of two of our region’s towns being highlighted as places that first time buyers should consider looking at to get onto the property ladder, and not long after another two local towns earned themselves a place within the top 20 ‘most desirable’ in Britain, Greater Manchester has now got another title to talk about with pride.
After the team at home security experts ADT decided to do some research into the best places in the country for those looking to raise a family, Trafford has made it into the top 10.
The Greater Manchester borough has earned seventh place on the list after a number of factors were analysed for the research – including the quality of the local schools, the general safety of the area, and the number of parks within walking distance.
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The top 10 most family-friendly areas in the UK
Rank
Area
Crime Rate Per 1,000 People, Year ending March 2023
Burglary Rate Per 1,000 People, Year ending March 2023
Average number of Parks, Public Gardens, or Playing Fields within a 1,000 m radius
Percentage of Oustanding and Good Rated Schools and Colleges
Median House Price, Year Ending Dec 2022
Cost of a single bus fare, adult
Family Safety Score /10
1
Waltham Forest
82
3.2
6
82.8%
£520,000
£1.75
7.23
2
Kirklees
111
3.5
6
77.6%
£181,000
£1.60
7.12
3
Havering
76
2.9
4
89.5%
£445,000
£1.75
6.99
4
Bexley
65
2.4
4
81.3%
£425,000
£1.75
6.96
4
Bromley
69
3.1
6
79.7%
£529,000
£1.75
6.96
6
Wirral
96
2.6
6
77.8%
£200,000
£2.00
6.80
7
Trafford
88
4.4
5
83.2%
£193,000
£2.00
6.72
7
Newcastle
124
3.7
8
81.6%
£178,000
£2.00
6.72
9
Hounslow
88
4.2
5
83.2%
£478,000
£1.75
6.64
9
Hillingdon
80
3.6
5
80.5%
£485,000
£1.75
6.64
Waltham Forest in London takes the top spot for the most family-friendly area in the UK, according to the research, as it ranked within the top 15 for both the lowest crime and burglary rates, and also ranked seventh for schools – with 82.8% having a “good” or higher rating from OFSTED.
Kirkless in West Yorkshire took second place, followed by Havering, Bexley, and Bromley all rounding out the top five.
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As well as Kirklees placing second and Trafford being in the seventh spot, the Wirral and Newcastle-upon-Tyne are also fellow northern representatives within the top 10.
Trafford has been named one of the best areas in the UK to raise a family / Credit: ADT
Sadly, on the other end of the spectrum, the least family-friendly area in the UK was found to be Birmingham, according to ADT’s research, as despite the average house price being £221,000, with a crime rate of 141 per 1,000 people, and a family safety score of just 2.5/10, the Midlands city takes the bottom spot.
On a more positive note though, when it comes the postcode area with the lowest crime rate in the UK, the North West is representing once again, as this has come out as CW12 3 in Cheshire East.
For the year ending June 2023, the crime rate for this postcode area was just 4.7 per 1,000 people.
Featured Image – Alexandra Park
Kids & Family
A major Manchester attraction is now offering 50% off kids tickets all autumn
Emily Sergeant
A major Manchester attraction is now offering 50% off kids tickets all autumn.
Autumn in Greater Manchester may be a thing of beauty, but if one thing’s for certain, the weather to get out there and appreciate the season it isn’t always the most reliable. That’s why many parents, guardians, and carers are often on the lookout for indoor activities to take the kids to when the heavens open – even better if the don’t break the bank too much.
Luckily, families looking for an affordable day out over the next couple of weeks can make the most of a new offer from a popular attraction, with 50% off child one-day tickets when purchased alongside a full-price adult ticket.
The offer gives families the chance to enjoy an underwater adventure for less at either SEA LIFE Manchester inside Trafford Palazzo, or a tad further afield SEA LIFE Blackpool.
At SEA LIFE Manchester, families can explore more than 30 display tanks and discover over 5,000 sea creatures – from sharks and rays in the immersive Ocean Tunnel, to colourful jellyfish and inquisitive sea turtles at Turtle Beach.
Meanwhile, over at SEA LIFE Blackpool, there’s a newly transformed ocean tank – which reopened early this summer following a £1.4 million refurbishment.
The 500,000-litre Jurassic-themed habitat is home to more than 50 creatures, including blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, stingrays, and green sea turtles.
Fancy it then? The half-price offer is currently live and runs up until 15 October 2026, with up to three discounted child tickets per booking.
The offer can only be redeemed when you book tickets online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Kids & Family
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show next year
Emily Sergeant
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will be roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show early next year.
Following the runaway success of last year’s Glow-N-Fire show – named the Pollstar Family Show of the Year – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live has announced that it’ll be making a big return to Manchester’s AO Arena in early 2027 with an all-new show called Colour Bash.
Colour Bash takes the action to a whole new level, transforming the arena into a full-throttle collision of colour.
Manchester audiences can expect vibrant paint-splattered trucks, bursts of colour, and electrifying lighting turn every smash and crash into a vivid spectacle for the whole family.
A description for the event reads: “When the mischievous Skelesaurus drains all the colour from Monster Truck Island, it’s up to the crew of Rhinomite, Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Bone Shaker, and Bigfoot to win it back – one massive stunt at a time, joined by a mysterious new ally – to be revealed this fall.”
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will first be pulling up in London at The O2 in January 2027, then going on to visit Glasgow and Birmingham, before arriving here in Manchester on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 April 2027.
“Colour Bash is the most vibrant Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience we’ve ever created,” said Ken Hudgens, who is the CEO of Family Entertainment Live.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show next year / Credit: Supplied
“We took everything fans love about the show – the massive trucks, the jaw-dropping stunts, the can’t-look-away energy – and supercharged it with colour. It’s a brand-new way to experience the action live, and we can’t wait to bring it to families in the UK in 2027.”
Before the trucks take the floor, ticket holders can add on the Pre-Show Party for an up-close, hands-on experience.
And then for fans who want the ultimate day out, a range of VIP packages are available to book, offering exclusive pre-show access, official VIP merchandise, and the chance to get up close with the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks before all the smashing and crashing begins.
Find out more and book tickets from £25 here when they go on presale on 16 and 17 September, and general sale on Friday 18 September.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd September 2023 
