Woolton, Liverpool, has officially been named the North West’s best place to live by The Sunday Times, and it’s easy to see why. With its strong sense of community, thriving independent businesses, and family-friendly vibe, this charming suburb is a standout winner in the newspaper’s annual Best Places to Live guide.
Judges praised Woolton’s walkability, its historic Beatles connection, and its buzzing village centre, packed with indie coffee shops, cocktail bars, and even a top-notch fromagerie. They also highlighted its great schools, green spaces, and “belting neighbourhood boozer,” The Elephant Pub and Bakehouse.
Woolton topped a shortlist of six other locations across the North West, including:
- The Heatons, Greater Manchester
- Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
- Knutsford, Cheshire
- Malpas, Cheshire
- Mossley, Greater Manchester
- Parbold, Lancashire
While Woolton shone in the North West, the UK-wide winner was Saffron Walden in Essex, chosen for its historic charm and growing foodie scene.
What Makes a ‘Best Place to Live’?
The Sunday Times team doesn’t just crunch the numbers – they visit each location, meet the locals, and dig into what makes a place truly special. Key factors include:
- Schools & transport links
- Broadband speeds & mobile signal
- Community initiatives & cultural life
- Green spaces & quality of the high street
Helen Davies, Best Places to Live editor, explained:
“We look for places with strong communities where people work hard to make the best of where they live.”
The full Best Places to Live 2025 guide will be published on Friday, March 21, with a shorter version appearing in The Sunday Times magazine on March 24.