Altrincham

Altrincham has built its reputation on food. With well over a hundred restaurants packed into the town, it draws people from across Greater Manchester for an evening out, and the choice runs from sushi at Asuke Sushi to Middle Eastern cooking at Al Khans Limited and the long-standing Victors. It is a town that takes eating out seriously, and that shows in how many places there are to choose from, whether you want a quick bite or a proper sit-down meal.

The town itself sits just south of Manchester, close enough for an easy trip into the city but with its own identity as a market town. It has grown into somewhere people visit specifically for a day or evening, rather than just passing through, and the mix of independent restaurants alongside familiar names gives it a broad appeal.

For a place to stay, Altrincham has options to suit different needs. Ashfield Boutique Stays and the ALTY Hotel offer something more design-led, while the Britannia Ashley Hotel and Cresta Court Hotel are established choices in the town. Travelodge Altrincham Central is a practical base for those wanting to be right in the centre, and the Delta Hotels Manchester Airport by Marriott suits anyone travelling with the airport in mind, given how close Altrincham sits to it.

Beyond the table, there is a decent spread of things to do. Dunham Massey Hall is the standout for a day out with its grounds and history, while The Runway Visitor Park offers something different again given the area's aviation links. Families are well catered for too, with Little World for Scholars and Altrincham Garden Centre Soft Play aimed at younger children, and Planet Ice Altrincham and Atlantic Bowl good for an active afternoon. For something more low-key, Vue Altrincham handles the cinema trips.