Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Cheshire

By Living Edge on November 11th 2009

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If Didsbury is Manchester’s Notting Hill, then Chorlton-cum-Hardy is its Ladbroke Grove: a little edgier, creative, culturally diverse and Bohemian. The roll-call of residents past and present reads like a who’s who of rock royalty: Morrissey, The Bee Gees, Stone Roses and Damon Gough, alias Badly Drawn Boy, to name but a few. The Naked Civil Servant Quentin Crisp died here and this is where Dangermouse and Bob The Builder were created, at the animation powerhouse Cosgrove Hall before it moved to Granada TV.

Chorlton-cum-Hardy

Chorlton Information

The Lead Station, Beech Road
On leafy Beech Road, the Lead Station is where yummy mummies brunch while their children are indulged in a more free and easy European manner and the cognoscenti host parties in the upstairs private rooms. Since it was opened in 1995 it has deservedly become something of an institution in Chorlton. Tel: 0161 881 5559

Chorlton Water Park
Who would have thought that just a few miles out of Manchester city centre would be this countryside oasis? The Mersey Valley Chorlton Water Park is a great place for walking, cycling, fishing and canoeing but what is also quite remarkable is that it is also a nature reserve which has managed to attract a varied and thriving bird population.

Hough End Hall
Chorlton has its very own country pile, Hough End Hall, which was built in 1596, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I by Sir Nicholas Moseley, when he became Lord of the Manor of Manchester and of the dependent manor of Withington. Now it can be hired for private parties and weddings.

McQueen, Beech Road
What every neighbourhood needs: a shop crammed with interesting independent labels, many of which are one-offs. It’s a relaxing place to browse and don’t think that you need to leave the other half at home, as the clothes are for boys and girls.
Tel: 0161 881 4718

Unicorn Grocery, Albany Road
Chorlton’s reputation for being home to hippy vegans isn’t quite dispelled by the Unicorn grocery. This is just a fabulous place to shop. In fact Chorlton is definitely worth visiting for the Unicorn, which is one of the largest wholefood shops in the UK. They’ve just bought their own tractor so expect even more competitively priced nutritious goodies. Tel: 0161 861 7675
www.unicorn-grocery.co.uk

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