From this outside, this home in Altrincham looks pretty normal – at street-level it just looks like your standard suburban dormer bungalow, albeit with some fairly stunning architecture.
But head around to the back garden, and there’s a surprise in store, for included in its £4.5m price tag is an actual Hobbit house, buried into the hillside.
The adorable addition comes complete with round wooden door, stone walls, and a tiny bench outside.
It appears that the current owners are using it as a cosy den or office space.
That’s not all in that massive one-acre garden either – there’s also a safari-style tree hut wedged up on stilts, accessed up a wooden spiral staircase from a decked area.
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Then you get to the rest of the house in Trafford, which is way, way bigger than it looks from the front.
Inside the main building, there are six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two reception rooms, plus all manner of luxury touches like dressing rooms, en suites and a utility room.
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The rear of the Altrincham home with its own Hobbit house. Credit: Savills KnutsfordThe actual Hobbit house. Credit: Savills KnutsfordAn African treehouse on stilts in the garden. Credit: Savills KnutsfordThe pool. Credit: Savills Knutsford
The lounge is a striking focal point, built into a round extension with floor-to-ceiling windows soaking in the views of the lush gardens.
There’s also a sitting room with a pitched roof and oak beams, which, again, feels like it’s been lifted straight out of Hobbiton (though thankfully built for taller humans).
Oh, did I mention it has a pool, too?
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The cosy sitting room. Credit: Savills KnutsfordThe grand lounge with huge windows. Credit: Savills KnutsfordThe sauna. Credit: Savills KnutsfordViews from a bedroom. Credit: Savills Knutsford
There’s a whole spa building, with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and gymnasium/office area, with bi-fold doors opening onto the gardens and barbecue area.
It’s up for sale at £4.5m with Savills in Knutsford, who say: “This fabulous family home is situated in a desirable pocket of Bowdon in an extremely private and secure position.
“The gardens are private and extensive, extending to one acre.”
Property agent Jamie Carter added: “This really is a unique and fantastic family home. I love that there is a real life Hobbit house in the garden.”
Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s development reveals details and images of luxury hotel operator
Daisy Jackson
Gary Neville’s St Michael’s Manchester has revealed that W Residences and W Hotel will be opening within the £400m development.
The huge project is taking shape behind the historic frontage of the old Bootle Street police station – when it’s complete, it will be home to 217 apartments, a 162-room hotel, and a rooftop restaurant, plus a saved and refurbished Sir Ralph Abercromby pub.
It’s a project 15 years in the making and today has taken a step closer, with the announcement of its hotel and apartment operator.
St Michael’s will host the luxurious W Residences and W Hotel brands, promising hotel-inspired living and chance to buy ‘a permanent residence within Manchester’s most exclusive postcode’.
The cost of those apartments hasn’t yet been announced – but one-bedroom flats at W Residences in London started around the half-a-million mark.
This will be one of only W Residences in the world, with sales launching in November and the first people expected to move in from 2027.
Those who live in the apartments will have access to a full hotel level of services and amenities, including 24-hour concierge (W’s whenever/wherever service), round-the-clock in-residence dining, laundry and dry cleaning.
Alongside the luxury 217 apartments will be a W Manchester Hotel, set to open early 2027 within the 410-storey skyscraper.
What the W Residences apartments will look like at St Michael’s Manchester. Credit: Supplied
W Manchester is promising bring bold design, distinctive dining and always-on programming, as well as signature spaces including the Living Room, WET deck, W Lounge, AWAY Spa and FIT fitness centre.
It joins already-announced Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Chotto Matte, which will take charge of the rooftop space.
And the public square connecting the two St Michael’s buildings will be home to the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub.
Gary Neville, director of Relentless Developments, said: “W Hotel and W Residences are going to put the distinctive 41-storey tower that is No.2 St Michael’s on the global map.
“There is no better home for W Hotel in the North of England than Manchester. This is a bold city which continues to defy expectations and which embodies the same values of originality and passion that have made the W Hotel experience world-renowned.
What the W Residences apartments will look like at St Michael’s Manchester. Credit: Supplied
“Situated alongside this, W Residences Manchester will be immersive, design-forward homes that will set a new standard in hotel-inspired living and massively raise the bar for city-centre home ownership.
“I’d like to thank Marriott International and our developer partner, Salboy, for seeing the potential in this scheme and remaining committed to our vision.”
Jaidev Menezes, regional VP – Mixed-Use Development EMEA, Marriott International, commented: “We are delighted to work with Salboy and Relentless Group to launch our newest residential development under the W brand in Manchester.
“There is a growing demand for luxury living in Manchester and this project in the St. Michael’s mixed-use development will deliver that with its vibrant design and impeccable service for its residences and hotel.”
A pool at the W Hotel and Residences at St Michael’s, Manchester. Credit: SuppliedSt Michael’s in Manchester
Simon Ismail, co-founder and MD at Salboy Group, added: “The W brand became famous for vibrant, diverse, urban locations like Manchester. Salboy is really proud to working alongside Relentless Developments to launch and deliver Manchester’s first branded residences and a truly 5-star international hotel.
“W Residences Manchester will offer a residential living experience and level of service unlike anything in the city right now. From a dedicated concierge handling anything you need at any time, to world-class interiors and top specification fixtures and fittings plus your own secure lift. Not to mention all the benefits of the W Hotel including the restaurants, the gym, pool, spa and relaxing in your own residential lounge or W living room.
“Something will always be happening, whether it’s art pop ups or music experiences, right here in this super prime Manchester location.”
Stockport named one of the 12 best places in the UK to retire
Emily Sergeant
The 12 best places in the UK to settle down and spent your retirement have been revealed as part of a new survey by Which?.
And it’s good – and somewhat, surprising? – news for one Greater Manchester borough.
Fresh off-the-back of being chosen for the prestigious honour of Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023, and also being highlighted as one of two town’s in the region where first time buyers should consider getting their foot on the property ladder, Stockport has now been named one of the best places in the UK to retire.
It’s according to a new survey by consumer group Which?, and it falls in line with the town having been hailed by for its “spectacular transformation” in recent years.
Results from the survey published today have revealed that around a third (36%) of Brits who are ready for, or are approaching retirement, said they had already moved or have considered moving house as part of their “later-life plans”.
Stockport named one of the 12 best places in the UK to retire / Credit: Stockport Market | Stockport Foodie Friday
More than 1,000 Which? members were surveyed to determine what is most important to them when they retire.
Healthcare access (88%) topped the list of important factors for respondents, followed by green space (75%), and proximity to local leisure activities (31%), while many also said they’d prefer to live somewhere with low crime levels.
Experts at Which? then analysed these factors and applied them to find the top-scoring local authority for each of the nine regions in England, as well as in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Each local authority was given a score out of 10 for healthcare, happiness, green space – specifically parks and playing fields – and house price affordability, which eventually identified the 12 locations as the best areas to retire, and picked out Stockport as the North West‘s worthy representative.
It’s all according to a new survey by Which? / Credit: Geograph
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Kirklees, South Tyneside, and High Peak are some of the other places highlighted as retirement hotspots in Northern England.
Speaking on the results of the survey that’s spotlighted Stockport, Jenny Ross, who is the Money Editor at Which?, explained: “Whether you’ve always dreamed of escaping to the countryside or the seaside, the decision of where to retire can be just as important as the decision of when to retire.
“Our latest research has uncovered gems across the UK that would be great places for retirees to consider”.
She also urged anyone nearing close to retirement to start thinking seriously about their retirement plans, and advised everyone that “the sooner you can start financially preparing for retirement, the better”.
“Check your state pension forecast and track down any lost pension pots to get a clearer picture of whether you’re on track,” Jenny added.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd June 2023 
