The quaint town of Altrincham is full of things to do. From upscale shopping to exploring local history, there are plenty of fun options here for you and your family!
A favorite breakfast haunt of the locals, this cute deli on Oxford Road serves everything from Eggs Benedict to American pancake stacks. The gluten-free menu is impressive, and Off the Wheaten Track also sells first-chop beer and Dunham Massey ciders.
Stamford Quarter
Explore the area’s historic listed buildings and vibrant gardens for a relaxing day out. Alternatively, take a test of your mental agility at an escape room or go for a spin on the ice rink at Sale Water Park.
The Garrick Playhouse in Altrincham is home to a variety of productions including dramas, comedies, and musicals. The town also boasts two parks: Sale Water Park, a horticultural gem; and Dunham Massey Hall, a sprawling estate that’s a National Trust property with a Grade I-listed Georgian stately house and a vast deer park.
Stamford Quarter is Altrincham’s shopping centre, offering a mixture of independent concepts and high street brands. Browse boutique clothing stores, fitness and wellbeing studios, leisure and entertainment venues, and grab a bite to eat at a restaurant or café.
The National Trust
There are many things to do in Altrincham, including exploring the area on foot. Whether it’s hunting for that perfect souvenir or reinventing your artistic aesthetic, the city has you covered with an array of boutique shops and museums.
Embrace your inner explorer at the National Trust, with a vast collection of houses, gardens and historic ruins to explore throughout Yorkshire. From a country house with 900 years of history to an intimate family home where the Smiths wrote some of their seminal albums, there’s something for everyone at a National Trust property.
A highlight of any visit is East Riddlesden Hall, a grand 17th-century manor house with stunning grounds where children can run wild. Or head to the Discovery Garden, where they can make dens and enjoy a mud pie kitchen.
The Altrincham Museum
The town was first chartered as a borough in June 1290. It was ruled by the Court Leet and had its own merchants’ guild to tax passengers. Altrincham was known for its market gardening and by the 1740s had a number of warehouses alongside the Bridgewater Canal. It was also noted for its vegetables. Two men from Altrincham received the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour, for their bravery in World War I.
Embark on a self-guided walking tour of the area to learn its history on a deeper level, or discover new artistic aesthetics at one of the top galleries in town. With thousands of experiences on offer, including popular tours and day trips, there’s something to suit everyone. Book online with free cancellation on most activities.
Altrincham Library
The Altrincham Library was established in 1899. The library has a number of interesting artefacts, including a book that was once used as evidence in court when a sixteen-year-old boy admitted burglary, declaring that his guilty actions were caused by reading the stories in the free libraries.
The library has a range of activities for children and families, including Storytime for under 5s and Rhymetime for over 2s. Tickets for these sessions can be purchased in advance and are free of charge.
For adults, the library hosts talks from writers and musicians, such as drag queen Cheddar Gorgeous and musician Mark E Smith. There is also a murder mystery event with crime-solving maestros Highly Suspect. Moovit is the best way to navigate to Altrincham Library with real-time bus, train and light rail schedules.
Altrincham Market
When it comes to food and drink, Altrincham is one of Greater Manchester’s most exciting market towns. In no small part this is down to the town’s Grade II listed Market House and food hall, which underwent a PS175,000 revamp in 2014 and now serves as the beating heart of Altrincham.
You can enjoy ‘market tapas’ here by sampling dishes from each of the 10 indie food outlets – think bread boards and soup (La Cucina), wood-fired pizza (Honest Crust), rare-breed beef burgers and sandwiches (Tender Cow) and cakes and pastries (Sam Joseph, Wolfhouse Bakery). Wash it all down with a beer from Blackjack Brewing or cider from Reserve Wines.
It’s no wonder that in recent times Altrincham was voted one of the best places to live in the UK. The revitalisation of the market hall really shows what can be achieved with a vision and the support of a town centre community.
