The charming village of Malpas in Cheshire, with its cobbled walkways and historic black and white timber-framed cottages, has topped a list of the 20 best ‘secret’ villages to live in the UK.
The Times compiled the list, which highlighted the “friendliest and prettiest under-the-radar spots to move to”. Malpas was the only place in the north west to make the cut.
The Times praised Malpas for its sense of community, location appeal, and amenities, stating: “With a hilltop church that can be seen for miles and a smattering of half-timbered houses, Malpas scores highly for looks as well as liveliness.”
The newspaper also noted the equestrian links in the surrounding countryside, including former Manchester United footballer Michael Owen’s famous racehorse stables. From the top of the village where the historic St Oswald’s church sits, there are breathtaking views across Cheshire, Shropshire, and even as far as the Welsh hills.
Other UK villages that made it onto the top 20 secret village list include Barlaston in Staffordshire, Maenclochog in Pembrokeshire, Ebrington in Gloucestershire, and Bishop Wilton in East Yorkshire, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Caroline Waterhouse, a resident of Malpas, praised the village in a feature by The Times. She stated: “It’s got everything. The schools are fantastic, all the shops are here, from a bookshop to a great bakery that champions local produce, and there’s a warm, loyal community.”
The article revealed that the average house price in Malpas is £393,000, with options ranging from a “substantial five bedroom new build for £600,000” to an historic Georgian mansion priced at £1million for those with a larger budget.
The Times highlighted ’20 villages that aren’t well known across the country but are always in demand among those in the know’. Malpas is located at the southernmost point of the Mid-Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, near Chester, with the Welsh border just five miles away.
The village has a history dating back to medieval times. It is widely believed that the name Malpas originates from the French words “Mal-pas”, meaning bad passage, although some suggest it was named after a former lord of the manor.
Once a bustling market town, Malpas has seen a reversal in its fortunes compared to neighbouring towns like Whitchurch which have experienced significant development. In contrast, Malpas has ‘retreated’ back to being a village, with its once thriving weekly markets disappearing in the 19th century.
Malpas, a charming village in Cheshire, is home to two popular pubs – The Lion at Malpas, a 300 year old establishment that recently underwent a multi-million pound renovation, and The Crown, which has been lauded as an ‘excellent village pub with good atmosphere’ on Tripadvisor.
The village also boasts a chippy, a farm shop, and The Old Fire Station cafe and bar, along with a large Co-op store that recently opened at the far end of the village.
In addition to its local amenities, The Times praised Malpas for its proximity to major city centres, noting it’s just a 35-minute drive to Chester, with Liverpool and Manchester not much further away.