Best places to live in the Wirral
The Wirral is known as The Paradise Peninsula, and is the location of several wonderful places with beautiful properties, but where are the best places to live in the Wirral?
Located in North West England, the Wirral is about 15 miles long and 7 miles wide. The River Dee lies to the west, the River Mersey to the East, and the Irish Sea to the north.
The area’s natural beauty, access to the seaside, excellent transport, and many other reasons, draw homebuyers to the area.
It has previously been named one of the happiest places to live in the UK.
The following hopes to highlight some of the best places to live in the Wirral.
Reasons to live on the Wirral
From the promenade at Hoylake to the red rocks at Thurstaston, Wirral is a very beautiful place. Residents are spoilt with beaches and can readily reach the seaside, the area also has many parks and green spaces.
If you’re into sporting activities the Wirral, known as the leisure peninsula, is ideal.
From walking or cycling along the promenade to the dry ski slope in Bebington; there’s something for everyone. There’s also a variety of courses for keen golfers most famously Royal Liverpool at Hoylake.
Those who live in the Wirral benefit from its proximity to Liverpool and access to the city’s shops and restaurants. There are a number of excellent schools within and around the Wirral, both state and private.
West Kirby
When buyers list their ideal features for the town they’d like to live in, most would say good amenities. West Kirby definitely fills this criteria. There are independent shops, restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes. The town also has a library, churches, leisure centre, and garage. Residents also benefit from other essentials such as a supermarket, doctors, dentists, and a post office.
On top of all these excellent amenities, West Kirby has a superb beach, excellent schooling, sports facilities, and a train service to Liverpool.
The area is one of the best places to live in the Wirral for those who enjoy an active lifestyle.
Running, horse riding, walking and cycling are popular on the Wirral Way. You can enjoy sailing and windsurfing on the Marine Lake, and kite surfing on the tide. Football, cricket, rugby, tennis, and golf clubs are all nearby.
Hoylake
At the other end of Meols Drive from West Kirby is the seaside town of Hoylake. Hoylake is the home of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. There is also a large beach which has hosted the European Sand Yachting Championships. The rugby and tennis clubs are thriving, and cyclists can follow the coast all the way to New Brighton.
Development around the station where regular trains run to Liverpool offers high-quality retail, office, residential and leisure spaces.
Like its neighbour West Kirby, Hoylake boasts a range of independent restaurants, pubs and shops, schools, and churches.
Parkgate
A few years ago, Mostyn House School was purchased by the developer PJ Livesey who created a new community of apartments and houses. This has enabled the already thriving village of Parkgate to remain a focal point of the Wirral.
Parkgate is one of the best places to live in the Wirral for its spectacular views across the marshes to North Wales.
The sunshine brings visitors to sample the delights of Nicholls Ice Cream Parlour.
Additionally, there are plenty of places to eat with a variety of pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
At the far end of the village stands the Neston Club which provides sporting facilities for all ages. These include cricket, hockey, tennis on both hard and grass courts, squash, and racketball. Sociability is the lifeblood of the club which culminates each year at the Marquee Week with a sporting lunch for 600, a Ball, and the Parkgate Proms.
Willaston
Willaston is situated towards the south of the Wirral. It is ideally placed to travel to either Liverpool or Chester by road or rail. This brings the private schools including Birkenhead School, Abbey Gate College, and Kings & Queens in Chester into easy reach.
The village has a population of approximately 2,500, a thriving primary school, 2 pubs, a few shops, surgery, and churches. There is also a football club for both adults and juniors and a number of charity and support network organisations.
Willaston is a popular place to live in the Wirral. It is around 10 miles from both Chester and Liverpool and also within daily commuting distance of Manchester.
Irby
Irby is a slightly bigger village than Willaston with a larger population and more centrally located on the Wirral. Superbly positioned for the Wirral’s secondary schools such as Pensby High, Calday Grange, and West Kirby Grammar as well as having Irby Primary School in the village.
Sports and relaxation are well served with cricket, football, and Taekwon-Do clubs. Also, you can enjoy great walks on Thurstaston Common, and several good pubs and eateries all close by.
Like all popular villages, Irby has plenty to offer their residents. There’s a choice of churches, shops, a surgery, a scout group, a library, and regular buses around the Wirral. It also has a proud boast that The Beatles played at the village hall on 7th September 1962; there aren’t many villages that can claim that.
Oxton
Another of the best places to live in the Wirral is Oxton Village, a charming conservation area within the suburb of Birkenhead. Despite its modest size, the village boasts a vibrant high street, featuring an array of independent shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
Properties range from grand three-storey homes with large windows, some of which have been thoughtfully converted into flats, to luxurious detached residences.
Oxton is also known for its tranquil green spaces, providing residents with a peaceful environment.
The presence of the Wirral Ladies Golf Club further adds to the village’s appeal.
Additionally, it is located within an advantageous catchment area for several esteemed local schools. These include Birkenhead Independent School, St Anselm’s, Upton Hall, and Birkenhead Academy, making it a particularly attractive option for families.
Thurstaston
Thurstaston is a tranquil hamlet nestled along the sandy banks of the Dee Estuary, offering serene views of Wales and the Clwydian Hills. Its beach is a quiet retreat ideal for those seeking a relaxing environment.
Running adjacent to the beach is the Wirral Way which follows the route of the old railway line, providing a scenic path for walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Alongside the beach, visitors will find Wirral Country Park, a picturesque area featuring woodlands, open grassy spaces, and well-maintained picnic areas.
Thurstaston Common, encompassing nearly 250 acres of parkland, wood, and heath, lies between Frankby and Thurstaston. This expansive area offers numerous opportunities for exploration and is jointly managed by the National Trust and the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.
While Thurstaston itself is a peaceful haven, the nearby towns of Irby, Heswall, and West Kirby provide a full range of shops and amenities.
Additionally, Thurstaston is within the catchment area of several highly regarded schools, making it one of the best places to live in the Wirral for families seeking a quiet, yet well-connected place to live.
Caldy
Caldy is a picturesque village located on the western side of the Wirral Peninsula. Adjacent to West Kirby, Caldy is considered one of the most attractive villages in the region and earns its place among the best places to live in the Wirral.
The village offers many locations with breathtaking views across the River Dee. One of the most notable features of the area is Caldy Hill which is owned by the National Trust.
From Caldy Hill, both visitors and residents can appreciate the panoramic landscapes.
Caldy has a regular bus service running between West Kirby and Heswall, ensuring convenient travel within the peninsula. Additionally, the nearby Merseyrail station in West Kirby provides straightforward access to the broader Wirral area and beyond.
The village is also situated near several highly regarded schools catering to all age groups.
Heswall
Heswall is a lively and desirable location. Known for its thriving café culture it has an impressive selection of both fine dining and relaxed restaurants and bars.
The high street offers a blend of high-end boutiques, delis, and traditional butchers. There are also larger retail options such as the M&S Food Store, Tesco, and Costa.
The town is intersected by the Wirral Way. This is a popular route for cyclists, walkers, and horse riders, connecting Chester to West Kirby.
Heswall is highly favoured by families, thanks to its location within the catchment area of several outstanding schools, as well as its proximity to esteemed grammar schools.
Heswall is home to a well-regarded golf course, and within a short distance are some of the country’s premier courses. These include the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, which has hosted The Open.
The town has convenient access to various destinations across the Wirral, Liverpool, and North Wales, which is visible from the town. The nearby M53 motorway provides further connectivity, leading to the M56 and M6.
Meols
Meols is a desirable suburb within an attractive coastal setting with well-rounded amenities including shops and places to grab a bite to eat.
Local schools in Meols are also highly subscribed, reflecting the suburb’s strong appeal to families.
One of the standout features of Meols is its picturesque Meols Parade and beachfront.
They provide a peaceful atmosphere and make Meols a particularly sought-after location for those looking to live near the coast.
Meols is also well-served by public transport, with its railway station situated on the West Kirby branch of the Wirral Line, part of the Merseyrail network. This provides convenient and efficient connections to Liverpool and across the wider North West region.
Neston
The historic market town of Neston offers a comprehensive array of local amenities including a convenience store, café, deli, bakery, and two traditional pubs, along with essential services such as doctor and dentist surgeries.
Neston is served by several well-regarded schools including Neston High School, and is within reach of esteemed grammar schools across the Wirral, including West Kirby, Calday Grange, and Wirral Grammar.
The area is further complemented by a number of independent schools nearby, such as Birkenhead, The Firs, and the distinguished King’s and Queen’s Schools in Chester.
The town is within easy access to Chester and Liverpool, both of which provide extensive shopping, educational, and leisure opportunities.
Neston and its surroundings offer a diverse range of sporting activities. Residents can enjoy sailing and windsurfing on the Marine Lake and Dee Estuary or take advantage of the excellent golf courses at Caldy, Heswall, and the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Rugby enthusiasts will find opportunities at Caldy and on the edge of Thornton Hough, while The Neston Club provides facilities for cricket, hockey, tennis, and squash, ensuring a vibrant and active lifestyle for its community.
Best places to live in the Wirral
There are a great deal of reasons why the Wirral is such an appealing place to live overall. Singling out locations and declaring them to be the best places to live in the Wirral is no easy feat as there are so many to be considered – this list is not exhaustive.
The Wirral is known for its community spirit and the sense of belonging residents feel along with the tangible features of the area.
As seasoned property finders, our team are able to navigate the local area and assist buyers in the sourcing and acquisition of their ideal home in the Wirral.
If you’d like to find out more about the best places to live in the Wirral and talk to us regarding your property requirements and our services, please do not hesitate to contact us, without obligation.
