How to enjoy the delights of Prestbury in 24 hours.

Great British Life: PrestburyPrestbury (Image: Archant)

Potentially the prettiest of all the Cheshire postcodes, Prestbury with its grand 13th-century church and Tudor-style high street which crosses the babbling Bollin river, was once upon a time the jewel in The Golden Triangle's crown - the elegant, genteel big sister to its showier, more contemporary counterparts. Then, the story goes, it all took a slightly sad turn as the footballers moved in, altering the architecture of village life and dealing its local businesses a devastating blow.

If that's true then consider this Prestbury's second coming.

Its high street may have changed - the bank and the butcher are gone - but in its place are a bunch of independent, destination-style businesses; boutiques and beauty salons sitting amongst a handful of exciting eating and drinking options. It is thriving - supported by the locals as well as a healthy influx of visitors from further afield. Time to join them, we say.

Great British Life: Interior to RococoInterior to Rococo (Image: Archant)

IN THE MORNING

Given you can cover the length of Prestbury's main street in less than four minutes at a fairly slow stroll, you really should embrace all the pottering potential the village has to offer. And by that we primarily mean its retail therapy opportunities. Of which there are more than you'd expect for such a short stretch of shopping destinations. Start off at Dress, a uniquely luxe dress agency, specialising in designer second-hand labels like Balmain and Chanel. Riding the wave of sustainability and stocking jewellery, handbags and shoes as well as clothes, it offers a range of price tags on its pristine items in a boutique environment that says everything but second hand. Otherside of the gender divide? Then Stephen Muldoon Bespoke has you covered - assuming your credit is prepped to take on its largely timeless and tasteful collection of modern designer labels. From suit jackets to sporty sweatshirts, there's something to suit most styles.

For interiors and gifts head to Rococo - a well-curated, ever-so-stylish bazaar of a place that has a small clothing offering alongside its main collection of on-trend home décor pieces; everything from lamps to vases to side tables and scented candles. For more in the way of retail therapy, you can self-gift some blooms from the cute flower shop, Prestbury Flowers, and for a different kind of me time there's Abi's Beauty Rooms for nails and facials, a whole host of anti-aging and rejuvenating treatments at The Fresh Skin Clinic and The Salon for all things hair. Beautiful stuff.

Great British Life: St Peter's PrestburySt Peter's Prestbury (Image: Archant)

AFTERNOON ONWARDS

It's time for an afternoon stroll. There are various great walks from Prestbury but assuming you want to end up back here then may we suggest you head down Bollin Grove (Googlemap it) towards a section of the Bollin Valley Way, loop around the Bollin River and back again in time for tea. It'll take under two hours and the terrain is fairly easy. You can download instructions from the Internet (not least from cheshirelife.co.uk, thank you very much). Once the Cheshire air has filled your lungs and your legs feel thoroughly stretched head back to your residence for the night. The newly renovated Legh Arms - more of which in a moment - comes with a selection of country chic rooms complete with exposed beams, bespoke furniture and sumptuous beds. All the style of a boutique hotel, all the soul of a country inn.

At the other end of the main street The Bridge - a hotel, restaurant and bar - is somewhat of an institution in these parts offering a mix of accommodation ranging from the traditional to the more quirky, contemporary and luxurious - think deep colour palettes, freestanding roll-top baths and grand sleigh beds. Three words for you: late checkout please.

Great British Life: Coast restaurantCoast restaurant (Image: Archant)

DAY ON A PLATE

There are towns three times the size of Prestbury that fail to offer the quality and diversity of food available in this little culinary corner. So let's start at the beginning - breakfast. Henry's Café in The Old Post Office offers perfect daytime fare from full English breakfasts to just-out-of-the-oven scones alongside good coffee and healthy juices. The newly opened Lana Café just down the road is a nice alternative to pop to for a lunchtime sarnie or light bite. For quality pub fare, day or night, the Legh Arms has long been the place to go and its recent renovation has breathed new life into this old favourite. Its stunning décor complete with rustic beamed walls, a new bar and rediscovered parquet flooring provides the perfect setting for classic British dishes, executed to a higher standard than your average pub. The Coast with its beautiful Amalfi-inspired interior offers refined Italian options and a lovely wine list (if you can't make it for dinner its one-course Prosecco lunch is a winner).

Other dinner options include: The Bridge - bistro-style dishes and steaks are the order of the day - as well as Tiffin Kitchen for delicious, authentic South Indian cuisine. Finally if you're a gin fan, stop off at new intimate little gin palace, The Foxhole. It also serves craft ales and fine wines but its impressive array of mother's ruin is the star of the show. A small and dangerously welcoming bar, it's the kind of place evenings disappear into. Zippy, its resident corgi, may or may not be there too.