Esteemed UK newspaper The Sunday Times’ has published its list of the ‘Best places to live in the UK 2025’, and it features two Greater Manchester boroughs.
Us Mancs didn’t need anymore clarification to know that where we live is incredible but we’ll always take it, especially when the compliment is coming from none other than The Sunday Times.
The publication revealed its annual guide of ‘Best places to live 2025’ which featured more than 70 different locations throughout the nation.
Although we may have been pipped to the top spot, Greater Manchester is featured not once, but twice, which is pretty impressive.
Claiming the victory this year is the market town with a name as pretty as its surroundings, Saffron Walden, which is only 15 miles from Cambridge.
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The locations were ranked through a number of key categories including transport, house prices, broadband, schools and a new addition, mobile signal.
All the contributors to the full list acknowledge the obvious missing puzzle piece,food, and we know if this was factored in a few more Greater Manchester locations may have nabbed the ‘Best places to live’ honour.
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The first Greater Manchester based entry is The Heatons, a hotspot nestled between the city centreand the city of Stockport, which is actually four neighbourhoods – Heaton Chapel, Mersey, Moor and Norris.
These areas are home to living history in the form of the iconic century old Savoy Cinema and lots of open green spaces.
Food may have been missed off The Sunday Times’ list but it certainly didn’t go a miss on ours.
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Mossley has been named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list. Credit: Instagram, @ariadneexploresThe Heatons also made the list. Credit: Instagram, @fourtheheatons
The second spot which managed to grab the title of ‘Best places to live 2025’ is Mossley, a town packed to the brim with cosy cottages, blissful walks and a close-knit friendly community.
It’s not too far from Dovestone Reservoir and the Peak District National Park – when you’ve got all this greenery on your doorstep you’re bound to be in a good mood.
Our friends over in Leeds at The Hoothave lots to cheer about as Ilkley, Hebden Bridge, Easingwold and Ripon all got a mention.
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You can find out the full rundown on all the spots up and down the country that have been selected as part of ‘The Sunday Times’ Best places to live for 2025′ HERE.
First look at Heaton Hall’s ‘glittering’ restoration as it prepares to reopen to public
Emily Sergeant
Some new images have been released showing the inside of the historic Heaton Hall as it prepares to reopen to the public after its extensive restoration.
The impressive Grade I-listed property – also known as the jewel of Heaton Park – has been closed to visitors since summer 2025 for ongoing refurbishment to protect it from further deterioration, improve safety, and safeguard the building for future generations.
On top of that, the Orangery building – which is also set to reopen – has been closed since 2012.
The heritage-led programme, undertaken by MC Construction Limited, has followed best practice guidance from Heritage England.
Heaton Hall is undergoing a ‘glittering’ restoration programme / Credit: Manchester City Council
To respect the heritage interior, all rewiring, cabling, and other electrical services like improved Wi-Fi and data infrastructure – all of which forms a significant part of the restoration process to ‘future proof’ the building – have been discreetly routed through existing voids and behind skirtings to avoid visible surface wiring, wherever possible.
The chandeliers have also been returned to their glittering best following intensive works to ‘refurbish and refresh’ the ornate features as part of the major rewiring programme.
As part of the long-term investment into the estate, Manchester City Council also announced ‘significant’ works to the Orangery, with a vision is to bring the building back into use as a high-quality events and dining venue after being vacant for more than a decade.
The Grade I-listed Heaton Hall is the jewel of Heaton Park / Credit: Supplied
“Heaton Hall is the jewel in the crown of Manchester’s heritage buildings,” commented Cllr Basat Sheikh, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.
“The Council take its role as custodians of the property seriously and for some years a long-term programme of investment has been underway to protect the building and make sure it is safeguarded and future proofed so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.
“We know how important this building is to many of our residents and we can’t wait to welcome people back inside.”
Following the rewiring works, Heaton Hall will be prepared to welcome back visitors later this year with tours organised by the Friends of Heaton Hall.
The expert volunteers will take small groups through the property, providing visitors with fascinating historical insights about the hall and the various collections within the property.
More information about the tours will be made available in the coming months.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Travel & Tourism
Even more of the Gay Village will be turned into outdoor seating this summer
Daisy Jackson
The Gay Village is set to get even more outdoor seating this summer, with the council moving to partially close several key streets to traffic.
The news lands mid-heatwave when thousands of Mancs are clamouring for a seat in the nearest beer garden or cafe terrace – with a huge proportion of those flocking to Canal Street.
Now, plans have been revealed to bring ‘a touch of cafe culture’ to the Gay Village, with even more outdoor seating space created for businesses in the area.
Initially running as a trial this summer, it will mean new terraces for New York New York, The Goose and The Eagle on Bloom Street, plus more locations on Richmond Street.
Manchester City Council has said that similar schemes on Thomas Street and Stevenson Square have been hugely popular with both punters and businesses, especially during the summer months, and can give local operators a huge boost.
So now it’s time for this thriving corner of the city to get the same treatment, as part of the ongoing work through the Gay Village Action Plan identified the need for more outdoor seating areas.
The two locations which will have the changes will be Bloom Street, between Abingdon Street and Chorlton Street; and Richmond Street, between Sackville Street and Chorlton Street.
In order to put these protected spaces into effect, some changes to the existing road network will be made:
Bloom Street becomes one-way from Chorlton Street towards Princess Street
Richmond Street is closed to through traffic between Chorlton Street and Sackville Street.
The scheme will initially run on a trial basis from 10 July throughout the summer to evaluate if it could be a viable long-term solution.
During this, plans will also be in place to ensure that deliveries and loading can go about unhindered, as well as daily waste collection and access for residents.
Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “The Gay Village is one of our most precious communities. For decades the queer community has been able to call this neighbourhood its own, establishing a long and proud place in the history of the fight against bigotry and discrimination.
“Needless to say, it’s one of the most-visited places in Manchester and sees thousands of people tread its cobbled streets every year. Because of that we’re always looking at how we, as its custodians, can continue to support its legacy and ensure that it meets the needs of people who live and work there.
“We’re excited to be trialling additional outdoor seating for these streets, and we hope to bring the same success that we’ve seen in the Northern Quarter after putting similar schemes in place.
“But, above all this has to work for everyone, so I would urge people to take part in this consultation and help shape the future of the Gay Village.”
Thomas Melia -
28th March 2025 
