Alderley Edge is a location sprinkled with enchantment especially at this time of the year when the Christmas lights are twinkling, the bars and restaurants are buzzing and there’s a sense that this is a special place to be.
Ancient legend has it that Merlin lies beneath the ridge with King Arthur and his knights waiting to rise up and defeat the enemies of Blighty, while the modern myth is that the people of Alderley Edge drink more champagne per capita than anywhere else in the UK. Let’s admit it. The place does quite live up to the myth and legend. The sparkle comes from the bars and restaurants, the impressively big houses, the status symbol motors, celebrity residents and the feelgood factor of life on the Edge, while the mysticism and slightly eccentric nature of the location is celebrated in many ways too. By November 23rd the Christmas lights have been switched on and everyone is ready to make the festive season simply fabulous, whether they enjoy a succession of glitzy parties, or simply appreciate the natural beauty of the area. We asked some of the locals how they will enjoy their Christmas in Alderley Edge his year - we’re there already!
Fashion designer Sally Ellis Sally, who is actually based in Tarporley, has been lured to Alderley Edge and just opened her Sally Victoria Bespoke Fashion Studio. It’s an appointment-only luxury service at 7A London Road. ‘I’ll have champagne always on ice, a footspa at the ready, and an in house make-up and hair artist to create that 5 star superstar service for those in the know. ‘It’s very much catering for those who want a bespoke look for weddings and parties. I have just launched my Sally Victoria Bridal Collection and bespoke guestwear so this will also be part of what is offered at the studio. ‘Now the clients I have who are based over this way won’t have to go all the way over to Tarporley for a fitting. They can come here for their wedding outfits and gowns for hunt balls and other occasions. ‘I love Alderley Edge and I wanted to move here before I found my shop in Tarporley. When the opportunity came to open in the Club House I was able to make the dream to be here a reality.’
Sadie’s in tune Singer, actress, ‘flower child’ and juice alchemist Sadie Pickering works at The Yard on the Edge. ‘Alderley Edge is a magical place. It has energy lines or ley lines so I always think of it as a mini Glastonbury. We work at The Yard with Mark Foster and are doing dowsing workshops with him. He’s been going up on the Edge and finding out where all the secret spaces are. He’s an amazing guy. The ley lines go up the country and are called the spine of Albion. There’s a masculine and feminine line which comes up to the Edge and that’s where they ‘dance’. Mark is in the process of mapping them at the moment. We’ve got a ley line that goes through the Yard and it creates a vortex and the vortex is just here, so this is a sacred site. ‘I’ll celebrate the winter solstice on December 21st. I do little blessings. It is all about celebrating nature here in this very special place. As you can tell, we are not typical here at the Yard. For Christmas we will be serving up Woodland Feasts. It’s our version of Christmas dinner featuring plant-based dishes and lots of fresh and natural produce. But Christmas is all about indulgence, so it will be a real celebration of food. The Yard holds its final feast on December 17th. Visit www.theyardalderleyedge.com for more details
Christmas and romance go hand in hand at Wizard’s Thatch in Alderley Edge. Just hidden round the corner from the high street of bars and restaurant this gem is described as ‘a little piece of heaven on earth’. With its medieval sounding suites, Camelot, Merlin and The Wizardry, Wizard’s Thatch welcomes guests to its five star hospitality from around the World. The Wizard’s Thatch has celebrated more than 400 Christmasses and painted in deep reds and golds the interior of the house just lends itself to the festive season. Travellers are treated to pure nostalgia in a fairytale setting that is quintessentially Olde England. Owner Ian Lambert said: ‘We dress the house for Christmas, creating the perfect festive ambience with deep warm colours and when you look up to the old thatch roof you can see Dasher, a seven ft wicker reindeer who looks magical when he is covered in snow. ‘I will be on hand over the festive period to welcome and look after my guests. I will also look forward to going for walks on The Edge with Ali and my two dogs Harry and Heggie. ‘We always recommend visitors dine in the village as you are just spoilt for choice and get them to see the magnificent National Trust countryside at the top of the hill. All the bars and restaurants are great – each is special and unique in their own way. I tell guests to go and try them all – if they can’t decide, why not have a safari supper with a starter in one, main in another and still have over half a dozen to choose from - for dessert. ‘There is nothing more romantic than Wizard’s Thatch when it snowing. I can’t help but keep going outside and seeing the snow creating its cosy white overcoat. Then I get my dogs and take them through the enchanted woods and round off the walk with a pint of locally brewed ale at my old home, The Wizard Inn. Magic.
Indulge at Tomfoolery 34 With its mismatched antique sofas, old TVs, retro gaming equipment and a myriad of 80s and 90s film references throughout, Tomfoolery at 34 is a recent rather eccentric addition to Alderley Edge. Now the collective of chefs, designers, musicians and comic enthusiasts behind this wildly inventive burger joint and milk bar have come up with a small plate brunch menu of affordable, healthy, delectable dishes sourced from the freshest local produce. And because Christmas is about indulgence there’s afternoon tea that includes a selection of cookies, mille feuilles, Paris Brest, Rocky Road scones and sandwiches. www.tomfooleryat34.com
Lindsey Price at the Botanist ‘Alderley Edge is an enchanting place to enjoy Christmas and The Botanist just lends itself to the season. It’s lovely when all the decorations are up and it’s very cosy with its log fires - rather like a log cabin in the Alps. We have Christmas carols over the festive season the second week in December and on Christmas Eve. We also run a 12 Days of Christmas social media competition, which is a great way of promoting other businesses in Alderley Edge. Our private dining room upstairs is the perfect place for parties and Christmas weddings . It’s very pretty in there. ‘I actually live in Wilmslow but have been coming to Alderley Edge for years. I used to go to places like Brasingamens night club. There are legends about the place and tales of how it is built on ley lines. There’s something about it. It’s definitely a special place.’
