Wolfgang McFarlane's guide to the delights of this thriving area

Many people often overlook the bustling village of Sale Moor when visiting this area of Cheshire, opting instead for its larger neighbour, Sale. However, it is very much their loss.

Accessible by a nearby Metrolink rail and a main road through its centre, Sale Moor is a fascinating marriage of urban and rural elements, emerging with a strong sense of community and thriving small businesses. The village's centre is riddled with family-owned greengrocers and butcheries, giving Sale Moor a truly nostalgic feel.

The area's immediate surroundings can provide visitors with the chance for a countryside stroll, with a labyrinth of leafy homes and quaint streets built into the landscape. And, if the verdant suburbs are not scenic enough, a short walk down Marsland Road leads you to Walkden Gardens; these astounding grounds feature a maze and are the perfect summer spot for a sleepy stroll. Although, the gardens are equally suitable for all seasons - each period invokes its own beauty from the area.

Sale Moor also makes for a fantastic family outing. On the edge of the village, Worthington Park is a popular public place for various activities: a vast field accommodates the lazier family members, whilst children's play areas and two bowling greens ensure everyone is catered for. The scenery here too is perfect for all seasons, with 27,000 trees having been planted in the park's recent redevelopment.

One of Cheshire's real hidden gems, Sale Moor carries a special appeal through its nostalgic atmosphere, welcoming community and pleasant natural backdrop.

The allure of Sale Moor doesn't mean that nearby Sale should be at all ignored; the abundance of cultural attractions makes it equally as appealing.

There are ten restaurants within three hundred yards of Sale station, including Greek, Italian, Chinese and Thai cuisine. Directly opposite the station, there is one of many upmarket pubs in the vicinity, and an arts theatre a further hundred yards away. The pedestrianised town centre is brimming with a mixture of independent and multi-branch cafes, while a similar combination of clothes shops allows for some serious retail therapy.

The centre of Sale equals its smaller counterpart aesthetically, too. As the Bridgewater Canal intersects the town centre, there is ample opportunity for fishing or a sun-drenched walk alongside. Sale Water Park gives a more concentrated dose of nature, and is the choice spot for longer strolls, with acres of woodland and a vast lake at its centre.