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.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2024 
