Woolton in South Liverpool has been named the best little village in Merseyside by ECHO readers, with Port Sunlight in Wirral and Little Crosby in Sefton taking second and third place respectively.
The survey asked readers to nominate their favourite village in the region. Votes have been tallied and verified, with one location coming out on top against a number of very popular destinations.
Little Crosby takes third place
Third in the survey was Sefton's Little Crosby, which retains much of the character of a 17th century village despite busy 21st century roads running by. A largely residential area, Little Crosby is home to acres of original cottages built as far back as the 17th century, and 29 buildings in the village are recorded in the National Heritage List for England. The village only has one school whose history dates back to the sixties.
Little Crosby was first documented in 1066 and is believed to be one of the oldest existing Roman Catholic villages in the country. Keeping hold of its tradition and history, the village opted out of having street lights installed during the 20th century. There's no pub and very little in the way of attractions, but many who went to school in Sefton will remember going to Crosby Hall Educational Trust (CHET) when they were younger. One voter praised Little Crosby's "unspoilt rural idyll on the edge of suburban sprawl."
Port Sunlight in second place
In second place is one of the most popular villages in Merseyside - Port Sunlight in Wirral. Packed into a surprisingly compact area are more than 900 Grade II listed structures, drawing on Tudor Revival, Arts and Crafts and Queen Anne architectural influences. The resulting streetscapes are remarkably varied and distinctive, particularly given that the village was built as workers' housing.
Much of Port Sunlight's appeal lies in its thoughtfully planned garden village layout. Culture seekers will find plenty to enjoy at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, which was purpose-built to house Lever's personal art collection. The village's houses are still lived in, giving the village an energy and authenticity that sets it apart from many heritage sites and lends it a warmth that is rare.
Voters were swayed by the village's deep history, including one person who said: "It's so beautiful no matter the time of year. Easily my favourite place to grab a coffee and go for a walk."
Woolton takes the top spot
Taking the top spot as ECHO readers' favourite little village is none other than Woolton in South Liverpool. The village offers a distinctly upmarket feel, with stone cottages, award-winning "Village in Bloom" floral displays and traditional pubs lining its streets. It also holds a special place in music history as the location of St Peter's Church, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney famously first met.
Woolton was also named one of the best places to live in the North West last year. The village is littered with pubs and businesses, but readers maintained that it's still a "hidden gem" and a representation of "old Liverpool". One voter said: "Everywhere is friendly, considered and welcoming. With a good selection of tucked away high street shops, interspersed with artisan shops such as specialist meats, cheeses, farm shops, it has something for everyone. Pubs and eateries aplenty. To top it all off, Beatles nostalgia at St Peters Hall and Church/Graveyard, lovely parks including Reynolds Park."
