The 'in demand' village named one of the best places to live in the north west (2025)

It's one of the prettiest villages in the region, and has now been named one of the best places to live too

It was once hailed one of the UK's best kept secrets - but Malpas in Cheshire is now having its moment in the spotlight. The secluded village, surrounded by rolling countryside, has just been named in The Sunday Times' prestigious "Best Places to Live" list for 2025.

It's one of just seven areas named in the north west, and was praised by judges for its "enviable homes and equestrian credentials". Among the horsey crowd based here, Malpas is home to ex-Manchester United footballer Michael Owen's racehorse stables.

The guide was also impressed by the village amenities including an "excellent pub, fish and chip shop and fine cafe."

It's certainly one of the prettiest villages in Cheshire, boasting cobbled walkways, a patchwork of black and white timber cottages alongside grander Georgian mansions all along the main streets.

The imposing spire of St Oswald's Church sits in the centre of the village at the top of the hill - where once a grand castle also used to sit.

Now, all that is left of the castle is its Motte which is hidden beneath a blanket of grass but is still visible on a stroll around the churchyard where you'll also be rewarded with stunning views out across Cheshire, Shropshire and as far as the Welsh hills on a clear day.

The area's inclusion in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide comes just a year after the national newspaper had hailed Malpas the number one "friendliest and prettiest under-the-radar spots to move to" in the UK.

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It's now very much on the radar with the inclusion in the main guide.

The Sunday Times says of Malpas: "This tiny town may not be quite as wealthy as it was in the heyday of the wool trade but it remains a prestigious address, in demand with the county set for its enviable homes - many with views to the Welsh Hills - and equestrian credentials."

It continues: "The countryside is lush and lovely, a dog-walker’s delight from every doorstep, but it’s the amenities that make Malpas stand out.

"Practicalities are covered by Huxleys, a standout local bakery and village shop; the medical centre, dentist and pharmacy, a dry cleaner and tiny launderette, along with a restaurant, excellent pub, a fish and chip shop and a fine café."

It also says it's a great spot for families thanks to the two local schools, which it says is "keeping the age profile on the right side of too old."

At the top of the high street there's The Rec, the free village playground, which is a brilliant spot for kids with a play area and huge sandpit for little ones, a large playing field and tennis courts too.

Malpas sits on top of the southernmost point of the Mid-Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, near Chester, with the Welsh border just five miles away.

The village dates back to medieval times, and it has long been thought that the name Malpas derives from the French words "Mal-pas" meaning bad passage, although others believe it was from the name of a previous lord of the manor.

It was once a thriving market town - but while neighbouring towns like Whitchurch exploded with development in the modern era, Malpas is one of those rare places that actually 'retreated' back in scale to a village, with the once thriving weekly markets dying out in the 19th century and its railway station closing the 1950s.

The only remnant of the old Market Place itself, is the old Cross which sits at the centre of the village. The old Market Houses next to the church are also now residential properties.

It still boasts two popular pubs - there's the 300-year-old The Lion at Malpas pub that recently unveiled a major multi-million pound renovation with hotel rooms too.

And across the road is The Crown, praised as an 'excellent village pub with good atmosphere' on Tripadvisor.

There's a village chippy, a farm shop and The Old Fire Station café and bar, as well as a large Co-op store at the far end of the village.

It's also a scenic journey to get to Malpas for those heading along from Manchester. You get to admire two castles (Peckforton an Beeston) along the winding country lanes to get there which will make you feel like you're in fairytale territory even before you arrive.

It's a popular spot to move to, not least because there's a mix of house styles in Malpas and prices haven't surged quite as much as some other Cheshire areas.

According to Rightmove, the average house price here is £394,326, while the average detached house will set you back £538,374.

Malpas features in the new Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide which includes 72 locations across the UK. An abridged version will be published as a magazine supplement that you can buy on Sunday, March 23