Hello everybody. My first post on MN - I would usually find an 'introductions' thread to say hello, in keeping with forum etiquette, but we just seem to start posting… so here goes.
Manchester is home, but I work in North Wales. I have family and friends in Altrincham.
I've just sold my house in MCR and am looking for a new place to buy. I'm tied to the M56 for the commute - but am looking for a quiet, picturesque village where I can find a little house with plenty of outdoor space. The more sickeningly-quaint the better 
.
I confess, my knowledge of this part of cheshire is a little lacking so was wondering if anyone could point me towards a short-list of villages I can visit at the weekends to find somewhere that fits the bill.
I'd prefer to stick 'this' side of Warrington if at all possible due to my social/family ties to S.MCR/Altrincham, but there seems to be a few places around S.Warrington that may tick the boxes.
DD lives away with her mum, so schools are not an issue - just want a little slice of English countryside for her at weekends.
I've revisited the places I know (Lymm, Knutsford and High Legh - knutsford's about as far away as I could manage) - but the large number of modern houses moves me to somewhere a little less known. Northwich housing is fantastic on rightmove (beautiful, period houses at great prices) but the town didn't quite have the right feel for me.
Any tips would be very welcome indeed - I'll go and jump in the car - virtually every time I search for places on Google, I'm directed to MN.com - so guess there is some local knowledge.
Thank you.