Most streets have a history if you look hard enough. Stonyhurst Crescent in Culcheth has one that is genuinely remarkable. The homes that buyers compete for today, the large semi-detached Victorian properties with thick walls and generous proportions that sit along the crescent's distinctive oval layout, were not built as family homes at all.

It doesn't tend to make the headlines. You won't find it trending on relocation forums or featuring in 'up and coming areas' lists. But ask any estate agent who knows their patch and Lowton keeps coming up, time and again, as one of the most dependable, liveable, and genuinely underrated places to buy a home in the entire North West.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Birchwood, you're in good company. This well-connected, family-friendly corner of Warrington has been quietly winning people over for decades, and it's easy to see why. Here at Courtyard Homes, we know this area inside out, so let us give you the full picture.

There are few better ways to start a weekend than a proper breakfast somewhere local. The WA3 area and the villages around it have a genuinely good spread of options, from village bistros to working farm cafes and everything in between. Here are six worth knowing about.