Woolton named Best Place to Live in the North West by The Sunday Times

Woolton, Liverpool, has been crowned the best place to live in the North West in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, earning praise for its community feel, independent businesses, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Some of the things the judges highlighted about Woolton was walkability, its historic connection to The Beatles, and its vibrant village centre.

The Sunday Times judges said:

“Everything is within walking distance in the Liverpool suburb where Lennon and McCartney met for the first time. Its independent-minded village centre has cool coffee shops, a formidable fromagerie, and cocktail bars, as well as a belting neighbourhood boozer in the Elephant Pub and Bakehouse. It’s a gloriously family-friendly place to put down roots, with excellent schools, parks, and even a patch of woodland.”

Woolton - The Guide Liverpool — Woolton – The Guide Liverpool

Woolton was chosen as the regional winner, standing out among six other locations included in the guide (in alphabetical order):

The Heatons, Greater Manchester
Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Knutsford, Cheshire
Malpas, Cheshire
Mossley, Greater Manchester
Parbold, Lancashire

While Woolton took the top spot in the North West, the overall UK winner was Saffron Walden in Essex, praised for its historic charm, excellent schools, and growing foodie scene.

What Makes a ‘Best Place to Live’?

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide is known for its in-depth research, with expert judges visiting each location and assessing factors such as:

Schools and transport links
Broadband speeds and mobile signal
Cultural offerings and community initiatives
Access to green spaces
The health of the high street

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said:

“What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there. We look for places with strong communities where people work hard to make the best of where they live.”

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025 guide features 72 locations across the UK and will be published on Friday, March 21, with a condensed version appearing in the Sunday Times magazine on March 24.