Altrincham

Altrincham is in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester and lies within the historic County boundaries of Cheshire. The town has rather subsumed the neighbouring boroughs of Hale, Timperley, Broadheath, Hale Barns and Bowdon. Once a busy shopping / market town, Altrincham has reinvented itself as a eating and drinking venue based around the Old Market Hall which is now a thriving hub for families and revelers enjoying the wide range of food and drink available. In the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2018 survey, Altrincham was voted the best place for the North West of England; it was also voted Best High Street in 2018

Altrincham Town Hall

Get in

Altrincham Interchange is the main transport hub for Altrincham: it has the tram, train and bus stations, and the main taxi rank.

By tram

A Metrolink tram at Altrincham Interchange

Altrincham is served by the excellent Metrolink tram system from Manchester city centre and other destinations in Greater Manchester.

Timperley, Navigation Road and Altrincham are all tram stops within Altrincham borough; Altrincham is the tram terminus.

A 12-minute services operates to both Bury via Manchester City Centre/Victoria Station (M-F 7:00AM–8:00PM) and Piccadilly Station(M-Th 5:49AM-11:37PM; F & Sa 5:49AM-12:37AM; Su 6:49AM-11:37PM) for mainline trains; this gives a 6-minute service to Manchester city centre.

If travelling on a weekend and particularly a Sunday, check that there are not alterations to the service, as part of the Metrolink expansion/improvement works.

Metrolink tickets must be purchased from machines on the platform before you travel.

By train

If travelling from Manchester Piccadilly it can be more convenient to take the train rather than the tram, prices are similar, travel times are similar; the advantage is that you are on the same level if changing trains. The disadvantage is that trains only leave every hour as opposed to every 12 minutes of the tram (6 minutes if you change trams at St Peter's Square). The Altrincham train usually leaves Piccadilly from Platform 5 and is the Chester (via Northwich) train.

Altrincham's main station is 🌍 Altrincham which is also a Metrolink terminus, but 🌍 Hale and 🌍 Navigation Road stations are on the same line and also offers train services to Manchester, Stockport, Knutsford, Northwich and Chester. If travelling from London on Virgin Trains, all their trains stop at Stockport; it can be easier to alight at Stockport and catch an Altrincham train from there. As has been stated though, check the timetable as they are normally only one train per hour.

The train from Manchester Piccadilly to Altrincham continues to the Roman town of Chester and passes through the Cheshire countryside and various towns and villages on the way, including Delamere. It is good value for money, though not a particularly luxurious train.

Tickets can be bought from the conductor on the train but it is recommended that you purchase at the ticket office on platform 1 at Altrincham or the ticket machines at Navigation Road and Hale as the new franchise holder is getting 'tough' on ticketless passengers. If there are two of you travelling together, ask for 'Duo' tickets where the second passenger travels half price. Single tickets are nearly as expensive as a return.

By plane

Manchester Airport (MAN ^IATA) is only about 5 miles (8 km) away. Buses (Arriva No. 18) are available to Altrincham from the airport however taxis are often the best choice. It is possible to travel into Manchester by train and then to Altrincham by either tram or train. Alternatively you can travel by tram from the Airport to Cornbrook and then onto Altrincham by tram from there (this is not a fast journey and will take about 90 minutes).

By bus

Altrincham Bus Station is part of Altrincham Interchange and is adjacent to the railway station on Stamford New Road.

Buses from Manchester are available, though invariably take longer than the tram or train.

Buses are also available to many other destinations including Manchester Airport, the Trafford Centre, Knutsford and Warrington via Lymm.

By car

The nearest motorway is the M56, which passes within a few miles of the town; you can use Junction 7 (Bowdon) and then the historic A56 (which prior to being diverted was once the Roman road from Chester to Manchester) or Junction 6 (Hale Barnes) and use Hale Road. Both these will take you into Altrincham town centre.

However, when travelling from London and the south the M6 (junction 19) is about 6.5 mi (10.5 km) to the southwest of Altrincham.

Travelling to Altrincham from Manchester City Centre the most direct route is along the A56 through Stretford and Sale.

Car parks are well signed, most require a nominal payment.

By taxi

The main taxi rank is in front of the Altrincham Interchange by the clock tower on Stamford New Road.

By boat

If you fancy a novel way of accessing the town why not cruise in a narrow boat along the Bridgewater Canal which passes through Broadheath on its way from Manchester to Runcorn.

Get around

The town centre is best explored on foot, if you are travelling to the outlying areas then either local buses or the tram or train.

• Bike & Go: On Altrincham Station on Platform 4 is a short-term bike hire facility.
• Cycle Hub: Near to Platform 1 at Altrincham station at the west end of the station is a Cycle Hub facility that allows you to leave your bike and take other modes of transport. Access is via a season ticket from Transport for Greater Manchester.

See

• 🌍 Dunham Massey, WA14 4SJ, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A National Trust-owned property. The historic house and grounds of Dunham Massey are a short distance from the town and it is perfectly possible to walk to them. The grounds contain a large amount of open space and deer, and the house is often open to visitors, as is the historic water mill. The banner image at the top of this page is of Dunham Massey Hall.  
• 🌍 Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN, ☎ [phone]. A joint Cheshire County Council and National Trust property. NT Members still have to pay for parking. Similar to Dunham Massey, although Tatton Park contains a petting zoo with farm animals and a Children's play area in addition. Tatton Park is also home to an annual Royal Horticultural Society flower show (usually in late July) and plays host to a series of summer evening concerts each year, which vary from classical to pop.  
• 🌍 Frank Sidebottom Statue, Stockport Road, Timperley. A statue of the papier mâché headed comedian was unveiled in 2013 in Timperley Village. Often dressed up by the locals to match the season. Expect a Santa outfit on him at Xmas. 
• 🌍 Art With a Heart, New Street, Altrincham, e-mail: [e-mail]. Th-Su 10AM-5PM. Home of the Arts for the Community in Altrincham. Free entry. 
• 🌍 Bee Bop a Raver, c/w Barrington Road & Woodlands Road. Outside Myersons Solicitors is one of The Bee in the City sculptures which were in Manchester in the summer of 2018. Free. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Bravest Little Street in England, Regent Rd (Blue plaque on side of Phantong Restaurant). The families that lived on Chapel St. in 1914 sent 161 men to fight in the trenches of World War I. King George V called Chapel Street in Altrincham the 'bravest little street in England' for providing so many volunteers. Out of the 161 that were sent, 29 of the recruits failed to return to their loved ones in the cul-de-sac which was demolished in 1960 to make way for flats. The plaque reads: 'Chapel Street Altrincham. From just 60 houses 161 men volunteered in the Great War 1914-18. 29 were killed. Recognised and praised by King George V'. 

Other Blue Plaques in Altrincham are:

• Helen Allingham (Victorian water colour artist) at 16 Market Street, Altrincham
• Ronald Gow (dramatist) on the old Barclays Bank, Stamford New Road
• Altrincham Market Site as part of the Altrincham Charter (granted in 1290) celebrations
• George Massey (set up the first gas-making plant in Altrincham) Old Market Tavern, Altrincham
• Marie Margaret Netherwood on Ashfield Road

Do

• 🌍 Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Barrington Rd, ☎ [phone]. "Discover a world of entertainment and drama" at Altrincham's refurbished playhouse and theatre. Drama, musicals, concerts and pantomime. 
• 🌍 Goose Green. An evening (or afternoon) in the Goose Green area is recommended. This compact historic area has recently been given a facelift and is home to various restaurants and bars; on warm evenings the clientèle use the open air facilities to drink (and smoke) outside. Look out for the statue of a goose in the passageway from Stamford New Road. Altrincham Cinema is a short distance away and many cinema-goers stop for a drink before and after the film. 
• 🌍 Altrincham Football Club, Moss Ln, ☎ [phone]. Altrincham FC play a short distance from the town centre at the Moss Lane ground. The ground is still predominately terraced. Admission is £13 for an adult to stand, £8 for a concession, £5 for a 12-16 and £2 for an under 12. 
• 🌍 Altrincham Ice Rink (Silver Blades), Oakfield Rd, Station Site, WA15 8EW (at the rear of the railway station), ☎ [phone] (premium rate number from most mobiles and non-BT landlines), e-mail: [e-mail]. Silver Blades Altrincham is open 7 days a week including bank holidays and is home for all ice disciplines including general public skating, figure skating, ice dancing, speed skating and ice hockey. 
• 🌍 Vue Cinema, Denmark St (across the disused railway bridge from Goose Green), ☎ [phone] (premium rate number from most mobiles and non-BT landlines). 

Timperley Sports Club

• 🌍 Timperley Sports Club, Stockport Rd, Timperley (off A560 to east of town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. One of the oldest private sports clubs in the UK (founded in 1877). It incorporates Timperley Cricket Club, Hockey Club and Lacrosse Club. Its facilities include a purpose-built clubhouse, two artificial turf pitches and two cricket pitches on site. 
• 🌍 Altrincham Kersal Rugby Football Club, Kersal Drive, Stelfox Ave, Timperley (Off B5156 to the east of Timperley Village), ☎ [phone]. Amateur Rugby Union club that caters for all ages, men and women. 
• 🌍 Altrincham Leisure Centre, Oakfield Rd (Behind the railway station), ☎ [phone]. Includes swimming pools, sports halls and gym. 
• 🌍 Trans Pennine Trail. The Trans Pennine Trail is a route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders linking the North and Irish seas, passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through some of the most historic towns and cities in the North of England. The trail passes along the abandoned Warrington to Timperley Railway line to the north of Altrincham before veering off towards the River Mersey and across to Stockport. 
• 🌍 Altrincham Golf Course, Stockport Rd, Timperley (Off the A560 to the east of the town.), ☎ [phone]. An 18-hole, par 71, 6,385 yard, parkland golf course with Timperley brook meandering throughout. A pay-and-play course which also offers great value golf course season tickets. The course plays well all year round. 
• 🌍 Ringway Golf Club, Hale Rd, Hale Barns, ☎ [phone]. This private members' club welcomes visitors and societies. 
• 🌍 Dunham Forest Golf Club, Oldfield Ln, ☎ [phone]. Visitors should contact the Professional Shop on [phone] to check availability and reserve a tee time. 
• 🌍 Hale Golf Club, Rappax Rd, ☎ [phone]. Visitors are very welcome at Hale Golf Club. A 9-hole course. 
• 🌍 Code to Exit (Escape Room), 143 Manchester Road, WA14 5NS, ☎ [phone]. A popular escape game in which the teams experience a not everyday thrill and adrenaline rush. The game is about engaging with your team and enjoying the experience of finding clues, solving puzzles and riddles in a fun and safe environment. No physical challenges are involved. (updated Mar 2016)
• 🌍 Altrincham Little Theatre (Club Theatre), Oxford Road, Altrincham, WA14 2ED, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The 21st oldest drama group in the UK. (updated Apr 2016)
• 🌍 Everyman Altrincham, 74-78 George St, Altrincham WA14 1RF (Best access is off Central Way, not George Street), ☎ [phone] (high cost). Bijou cinema with small theatres and food served at your seat. Settees to sit on - takes cinema to a new trendy level. (updated Dec 2018)
• Altrincham Walks. There are regular guided walks (Including pub tours) see details on the linked website 

Buy

Once a major retail centre hosting higher-end retailers and independents, the retail scene in Altrincham Town Centre had deteriorated but is undergoing a major revival. It has concentrated on being a food and drink town with some retail outlets; there are a few independent stores (some listed below) and the usual high street favourites can be found at the north end of George Street in Altrincham (Marks and Spencer, Waterstones, Next, W H Smiths, Boots and Rackhams). The Market is thriving and well worth a visit. Hale village also has a good selection of independent retailers.

Altrincham Market

• 🌍 Altrincham Market, Market St/Greenwood St/Central Way. Visit the market in the town centre where local produce, and many other things can be bought. There is a Farmers' Market on the 1st Friday of each month. Every Thursday and Friday evening in the run up to Christmas they hold twighlight markets with stall, food, drink and music. The market has been refurbished and the old market hall is now all about eating and drinking, including a real ale bar. In October 2015 the market won the Observer Food Monthly's 'Market of the Year' award. 
• 🌍 Walton's Models, 30 Stamford St, ☎ [phone]. Model railway specialists. 
• 🌍 Abacus Books, 24 Regent Rd, ☎ [phone]. Independent bookshop. 
• 🌍 Warhammer (Games Workshop), 49 Railway Street, WA14 2RQ, ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2015)

Eat

Altrincham has established itself as an excellent venue for food with an ever growing diversity of restaurants and food related shops. Also look out for Altrincham Food Fortnight with special events around the town, usually in the second half of June.

• 🌍 Altrincham Fish Bar, 41 Greenwood St. Traditional fish and chip shop, with formica tables in the dining room, maritime kitsch and some quite curt service! 
• 🌍 Coco's, 18 Regent Road, Altrincham, Cheshire. WA14 1RP, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Italian food. (updated Feb 2017)
• 🌍 Da Noi, 9-11 Old Market Place, Altrincham, WA14 4NP (On A56 to north of town), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM; Su 11:30AM-9PM. Italian restaurant in Old Market Place. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Greenhouse Vegetarian Restaurant, 41-43 Oxford Rd, ☎ [phone]. The only vegetarian restaurant in Altrincham. It serves fresh, made-daily salads and hot meals. £5.25 salad plate, £6.15 hot meal.. 
• 🌍 Masala Bangladeshi Take Away, Church St, WA14 4DW. Try the traditional dish "Bangla Achari". 
• 🌍 Piccolinos, 214/215 Ashley Rd, Hale, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Taste Buds, 2 Lloyd St. The place to go for a cheap, quality doner kebab or a chicken burger after a night out. Takeaway only. 
• 🌍 Thai Chilli Club, 12 Ashley Rd, ☎ [phone]. Excellent lunchtime offers. 
• 🌍 Joanne's Fish & Chips, 50 Borough Road, WA15 9RA. A fish & chip shop since 1901. Pensioner portions £2.30 excellent value. Open Tu & F lunch and M-F tea time (dinner). 

Goose Green

• 🌍 Yara, 23 Oxford Road, ☎ [phone]. Popular venue specialising in traditional Lebanese and Syrian food. Booking is essential at weekends. 
• 🌍 Sugo Pasta Kitchen, 22 Shaw's Rd, Altrincham WA14 1QU (Opposite the Market), ☎ [phone]. Popular restaurant, booking essential. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Tre Ciccio, 4a Moss Lane, WA14 1BA, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10AM-11PM. Excellent setting for good Italian food. Main meals are chicken and pizza. (updated Apr 2018)

Drink

• 🌍 Cheshire Midland, Ashley Rd, Hale. The place to go for a cheap pint, but avoid in the summer and Christmas season as it's extremely busy due to the influx of students. 
• 🌍 Costa Coffee, 33-35 George St., Altrincham WA14 1RJ, ☎ [phone]. 7AM-6PM. 
• 🌍 Costello's, 18 Goose Green, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. This bar serves well-priced and excellent-tasting beers from the local Dunham Massey Brewing Company. Be careful though, some are strong! In the Good Beer Guide and been awarded Trafford & Hulme Pub of the Year 2012 and 2013. 
• 🌍 The Gardeners Arms, 41 Deansgate Lane, Timperley, ☎ [phone]. noon-11PM most days. Spruced up local pub with a selection of real ales from Theakstone's brewery. Good reasonably priced home-made meals 
• 🌍 Mort Subite, 39 Greenwood St. Belgian bar. 
• 🌍 Old Market Tavern, Old Market Pl (off Church Street (A56)), ☎ [phone]. A selection of over twelve local cask ales plus Belgian beers,traditional ciders, wines and an excellent range of whiskeys. Live bands on most Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. On Thursday night they have an open acoustic night which is open to all and has been going for over three years. Wednesday night is Jimmys' quiz night just a £1 to enter and free food at the end of the quiz. As well as good food every day they also show all lot of the MCFC and MUFC matches. The building used to be the Town Hall and then a police station. It was also the first building in Altrincham to have gas lighting. Have a look for the blue plaque. 
• 🌍 Old Packet House, Navigation Rd, WA14 1LJ, ☎ [phone]. Good beer and food. Holds the Cask Marque Award for serving great quality real ale. A great place to talk to the landlord about motorbikes and skiing. 
• 🌍 Pi, 18 Shaws Rd (Opposite the market). Always has at least 2 real ales on, one local usually from the Tatton Brewery; plus more exotic lagers and beers many from foreign shores. In the Good Beer Guide. Food is pie, mash and peas! 
• 🌍 The Quarry Bank Inn, 151 Bloomsbury Lane, Timperley, WA15 6NY, ☎ [phone]. Best pub in Timperley Village serves Hydes ales. Food available, popular for its lunchtime menu. Still has a bowling green attached. 
• 🌍 The Railway, 128 – 130 Ashley Road, Hale (100 m northwest of station), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A traditional pub with excellent real ales and a great atmosphere. Unchanged from the 1930s. Serves lunch M-F noon-2PM. This pub still has individual rooms, so you can escape into your own corner if required. Sky Sports. Watch out for the Coronation Street star! This is the venue for the Altrincham Festival pub quiz, usually in the second week of July. 
• 🌍 The Swan with Two Nicks, Park Lane, Little Bollington, Altrincham, WA14 4TJ (Take the Lymm Road (A56) towards Lymm after about a mile turn right into Park Lane), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Country pub and restaurant close to the National Trust's Dunham Park, hence on weekends in the summer it can be very busy. The pub is dog friendly and serves real ale including one or two ales from the local Dunham Massey Brewery. 
• 🌍 Sugar Junction, 80 Stamford New Road, Altrincham, WA14 1BS, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th 9AM-5PM; F Sa 9AM-11PM. Breakfast is served from 9AM and brunch is served throughout the day. Home-made cakes and china cups rule here! (updated Sep 2016)

Sleep

Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham

• 🌍 Cresta Court Hotel, Church St, WA14 4DP (At junction of A560 and A56), ☎ [phone]. 140-bed Best Western Hotel on the north side of the town 
• 🌍 Mercure Altrincham Bowdon Hotel, Langham Rd, Bowdon, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 3-star hotel about a mile from Altrincham town centre quite close to Hale Village. From £48. 
• 🌍 Travelodge Altrincham Central, Grafton Tower, Stamford New Rd, WA14 1DQ, ☎ [phone] (premium rate number from most mobiles and non-BT landlines). 
• 🌍 Marriot Hotel, Hale Road, Hale Barns (Adj to Junction 6 of M56), ☎ [phone]. Very close to the airport. 
• 🌍 Altrincham Lodge Hotel, 350 Manchester Rd, Timperley, Altrincham WA14 5NH (NW of Altrincham on A56, behind Pelican Pub), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Does a deal on stay, park and fly. 
• 🌍 Britannia Ashley Hotel, Ashley Road, Hale (In Hale south of the railway), ☎ [phone] (premium rate number from most mobiles and non-BT landlines). 
• 🌍 Bull's Head and Lodge, Wicker Ln, Hale Barns (In Hale Barnes opposite Ringway Golf Course), ☎ [phone]. Lodge that adjoins the village pub, handy for the airport and M56. 
• 🌍 Bollin Hotel, 58 Manchester Rd (on A56), ☎ [phone]. 

Connect

• 🌍 Altrincham Information Centre, 18a Stamford New Rd (Opposite the Railway/Bus Interchange), ☎ [phone]. 
• Altrincham Today. News and stories about happenings and developments in Altrincham. 
• Altrincham Unlimited. Web resource for what's on, and what to do in Altrincham. (updated Nov 2017)

Go next

• Chester
• Knutsford
• Manchester
• Lymm
• Sale

Routes through Altrincham

Chester ← Warrington ←

W  E

→ Manchester Airport → Central Manchester