Pretty village once home to Harry Styles with top ice cream parlour
The village is a perfect spot for a day out and has even been put on the map by one of the world's biggest stars
Just an hour's drive from Manchester lies a delightful village brimming with independent businesses, tea rooms and even a top-notch ice cream parlour. This place, however, gained fame thanks to one of the world's most renowned singers.
Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, with its scenic buildings and population of around 7,000, was once home to singer Harry Styles. The town was catapulted into the spotlight over a decade ago when a young Harry Styles made his debut on The X Factor.
Now, this quaint village is globally recognised, largely due to the Grammy award-winning former One Direction member. But there's more to the area than just being the childhood home of the 31-year-old star.
Originally known as Church Hulme, the village started as a small farming community of about 400 people. However, with the advent of the railway line, train station, local road network and nearby M6, its population boomed during the 1800s and 1900s.
The parish council describes it as a 'thriving community', lauding its array of local shops and amenities, as well as the surrounding countryside that can be explored via numerous footpaths, including along the River Dane at the northern boundary, reports the Manchester Evening News. With a highly-rated comprehensive and two primary schools, the village also boasts a picturesque centre, featuring the striking St Luke's church at its heart, surrounded by a variety of shops and hospitality venues.
One such local gem is W. Mandeville's bakery, known to locals simply as Mandeville's. This establishment has been serving the community for more than a century since it first opened its doors in 1900. In recent times, it's often been nicknamed 'Harry's Bakery', as this was where the Watermelon Sugar singer worked before he left to try his luck on the long-running ITV talent show.
The village boasts two central pubs - the George and Dragon and the Red Lion - along with the Bottle Bank bar. Nearby, there's a Sainsbury's Local, Costa and Tesco Express.
The shopping precinct next to the fire station hosts a variety of businesses, including Morrison's Daily and the popular London Road Fish Bar.
Nestled on the cobbled path behind St Luke's is The Cobbles Tea Room - a cosy, independent café and B&B. Towards the southern end of the village, you'll find The Vic, a social club, and Chinese restaurant Fortune City.
The village also has plenty to offer families. Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm recently experienced its busiest day of sales ever, thanks to the recent spell of sunny weather.
Located amidst beautiful countryside with stunning views of Jodrell Bank telescope, the farm is a beloved destination for both the young and the old.
Despite its rural setting, the ice cream farm is easily accessible, being just four miles from junction 18 of the M6 and close to Goostrey's mainline train station.
Since its launch in 2021, Bidlea Dairy has rapidly amassed a dedicated fanbase, thanks to its remarkable array of 80 ever-changing ice cream flavours, and seating spots boasting breathtaking vistas of one of Cheshire's most iconic landmarks. Bidlea Dairy has expanded its repertoire with a variety of fridges filled with its full dairy range, encompassing milk, creams, yoghurts, and family-sized tubs of ice cream.
Ice cream enthusiasts can select from a revolving menu of flavours at the milk and ice cream vending machines. Each day presents 24 options, featuring tempting varieties like Biscoff, birthday cake, bubblegum, and mint choc chip – all reasonably priced at £2.90 for a single scoop, £3.90 for double, and £5 for a colossal triple scoop indulgence.
The Bidlea assortment also includes decadent ice cream milkshakes, crafted from any two flavours of your choosing, at a cost of £6. If you're dropping by the café, anticipate a delightful selection of hot and cold beverages alongside scrumptious snacks such as cheese toasties at £3.95, home-cooked soup for £4.50, or a hearty bacon and sausage bap also at £4.50.
They also offer lactose-free dog ice cream, ensuring that four-legged guests are well catered for. Visitors can savour the stunning panoramic views over the Cheshire landscapes and Jodrell Bank from the café's outdoor area and elevated seating platform, providing customers with an unobstructed view of the famous telescope.
Holmes Chapel has ramped up its attractions, now boasting the Holmes Chapel Zoo on-site. This menagerie is home to creatures like meerkats, lizards, and owls. The zoo offers regular workshops and interactive days that allow guests to spend up to an hour getting up close with meerkats in their expansive, specially designed environment.
Another must-visit is Goostrey Home and Leisure. Nestled within old farm structures along the A50 gateway between Holmes Chapel and Knutsford, it has been captivating visitors for more than 20 years.
You'll quickly realise Goostrey is no typical farm shop; it shines with its array of local handcrafted goods, from garden-fresh veggies and meats to dairy delights and freshly baked treats. Step deeper into the barns, and you enter a wonderland packed with a bazaar's worth of retail jewels.
Touted as the "ultimate country shopping experience", Goostrey leads you through a labyrinth rich with uniquely diverse stalls. You are sure to stumble upon an assortment of gems ranging from gifts to homeware, crafts to plants, garments, accessories, pet essentials, and an array of other finds.
Further enhancing the charm is the substantial tearoom on-site, adorned with distinctive décor, where patrons can indulge in hot meals and cakes elegantly presented on stands. Parents will be pleased with the sheltered outdoor seating area adjacent to the main café, offering a view of a free play area where youngsters can burn off some energy.
The playground is packed with fun features including a structure with ladders and slides, adventurous elements like a rope ladder and stepping stones, swings, crawl-through tubes, and a sandbox for digging.
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