The traditional market town of Frodsham is the perfect place to call home

Here’s just another excuse (or two) for why you should visit Frodsham... and maybe live there

Great British Life: Main Street is home to pretty much every shop you could ever need. Photo: Kirsty Thompson Main Street is home to pretty much every shop you could ever need. Photo: Kirsty Thompson (Image: Archant)

Fresh and bustling with life, Frodsham is both a typically traditional English market town and an up-and-coming place to settle. With its wide high street, attractive period buildings and well-connected transport links, this is a community that is particularly proud of, and embraces its vibrant, independent character. Main Street and Church Street are charming, as well as being home to pretty much every shop you could ever need day to day, and the foodie scene is blossoming into a cool, thriving space. Its new, more modern take on the trendy, coffee shop-style culture and neighbourhood restaurant scene is a major pull, not only to a younger crowd but also to those with a love of good pubs, fine wines and delicious, local produce. Frodsham is rich in history, and property wise, there’s everything here from historical buildings on the high street to interesting rural escapes in the hilly brow between the town and the village of Helsby. Musician Gary Barlow and 007 actor Daniel Craig have both called the town home (even if it was when they were youngsters...).

Food, glorious food

Local favourite The Bears Paw is a focal point of the town, sitting pretty in a beautiful old building and dishing up good pub grub. The Grade II listed family pub The Queen’s Head is the oldest coaching inn in Frodsham, while one of the newest in town comes in the form of tapas bar Artisan Green, a popular spot for diners (and voted in the top five restaurants in Frodsham). For award-winning cask ales and fresh cuisine, there’s Helter Skelter, or for the ‘best coffee in the world’ be sure to stop at Aussie-style independent Brew and Tucker. Head to long-established Devonshire Bakery for delicious breads, cakes and pastries beloved by famous faces, including the Beckhams, or for intercontinental delights, superb British artisan produce and unusual and interesting wines, try Whitmore and White. And don’t forget to stop off at family-run butchers H E Coward for the best fresh meats and homemade pies.

Great British Life: The lovely streets of Frodsham are up-and-coming. Photo: Kirsty Thompson The lovely streets of Frodsham are up-and-coming. Photo: Kirsty Thompson (Image: Archant)

Outdoor adventures

Visit the child-friendly Castle Park Arts Centre to stretch your legs and let the kids run riot, and be sure to look around the regularly changing art displays or have a go at an arty workshop. If it’s a sunny day of outdoor climbing, raft building, bush craft and problem solving you’re after, check out Round Ponds Adventure. With time on your hands, The Sandstone Trail is worth a wander. Start on Frodsham’s tree-lined Main Street and head past St Lawrence’s Church and the cosy Ring O’Bells pub, where shortly after you’ll reach the picturesque summit of the 500-ft Overton Hill and Frodsham War Memorial. Or for a casual stroll with some new furry friends, trek with the llamas at Hillview Llamas (visitors say it’s a thorough delight). If you’re up for a real leg-stretcher, head to nearby Helsby Hill where you’ll find an Iron Age hillfort, more great views and a network of pretty woodland trails.

Great British Life: There's a property for everyone in Frodsham. Photo: John Cocks There's a property for everyone in Frodsham. Photo: John Cocks (Image: Archant)

Thinking of visiting Chester? It’s open for business and ready to serve

Bag a property

Frodsham locals praise the town for being ‘an amazing place to live’ and it’s hard not to agree. The town has shopping and hospitality for everybody – be it from the artisan bakers and traditional butchers, or the smart new pubs and restaurants that have moved in over the last few years. “Frodsham just works for people,” says Your Move’s Andrew Hayes, who is a life-long Frodsham resident. “It’s only eight miles from Chester, within minutes you can be in beautiful countryside, and the housing supply caters for all needs. “The property entry point sits at about £130,000 for an apartment but the market can creep over the million-pound mark for large, detached luxury homes.” Access to bigger cities is no longer a hassle with the much-improved trainlines (there are direct links now to both Manchester and Liverpool), and there are some very good, popular schools. “The area is improving its standard in general terms and has recently seen more movement from South Manchester and South Warrington,” Andrew says. “Frodsham is an up-and-coming place to be.”