If you had a choice would you move to Chester or Clitheroe?

[Dappled]

We may have a family move on the cards soon, due to my OH's work. The possibilities are likely to be Chester or Clitheroe (Ribble Valley, Lancashire) or their surrounding areas.
I have never been to either place, and don't even know the surrounding regions. I've been doing lots of internet research and of course we will be visiting - but the current pandemic situation and the fact that we may have to make a fairly quick decision means it would be really useful to get the thoughts an experiences of people who know either place (and especially those who know both!)
Access to beautiful countryside with plenty of walking possibilities is really important to us. My children have been desperate to move to the countryside for years and we are a family who all need open space and not too much bustle so we are considering locating rurally within those areas as we are all feeling pretty tired of city life (We are currently in the suburbs of a large northern city). However, I also think that we''d do well in a small town or leafy city suburbs as long as we were close to plenty of open space and countryside.
Schools are a big one for us - primaries and we will soon need secondaries too. We will have missed the deadlines for secondary applications for September 2021 start in Year 7 so an area where the schools aren't oversubscribed would be a massive bonus! Would prefer good state schools rather than grammars or private.
We relocated north 6 years ago and know how hard work it is to settle and make friends in a new place. Somewhere with a generally friendly welcoming vibe would be much preferred. It would be good to get involved with a community. We're not small c (or large C) conservative. We're from arts and creative backgrounds and so if we were in a town or city a place that has an arts scene, an alternative vibe or just a bit of a cultural life would be great. If we chose to locate more rurally I do worry about being the "newcomers" forever and so an area that doesn't feel closed minded to outsiders and where you might feel you can contribute to a community would be great.
Also, rain...I'm worried about Lancashire ! (although I haven't looked up the rainfall stats for the Chester area yet) Those who know the Ribble Valley - does it rain ALL the time?!? (I have arthritis which isn't great with damp)
So, on the basis that I know neither place (or region) at all - anyone got any thoughts or advice for me on either (or both) areas? Thank you.

I lived in Leeds for many years and then moved to the Wirral. We miss the hills, and will move back to Yorkshire to retire and to be nearer family. That said, Wirral is fine and really easy to get into North Wales. We live very close to the Mersey, but if we were planning to stay long term we’d probably look at Willaston. Rural, but handy for everywhere and only a mile or so to Hooton station which gives access to Chester (

On the question of traffic, the M56 between Chester and the M6 can be horrendous (pre lockdown), but if you avoid the rush hour(s) it’s less than half an hour to Warrington, maybe up to an hour to Wigan. The M6 is similarly variable. Using the Mersey tunnels (top end of the Wirral to Liverpool) or the new Runcorn toll bridge are alternatives.

I've been to Clitheroe today - it is a growing town, there are LOTS of new houses popping up all over the outskirts. The town centre is increasingly bustling and there are lots of nice independent shops and wine bars / cafes. Whalley is a lovely village, again new houses seem to be the trend there too! There are some beautiful villages in and around Clitheroe - Sawley, Waddington, Barrow, Worston. I live on the other side of 'the hill' and again there are some beautiful villages and countryside around here.

Of course I am biased.....Clitheroe 😊

frenchonion DH always calls it ‘Clit-hero’

Thanks everyone, so much to think about here. Thanks for the suggestions of specific villages and areas - it'll be really useful when we actually get there and have a drive around. We definitely need to spend some time checking out the areas - difficult at the best of times with little ones, pandemic adding extra levels to that. Useful to hear about stuff I hadn't thought about - the races, the kind of countryside around Chester, grammar schools and other school issues. I hate the way schools (and especially different school systems in different areas) make moving so much more complicated and stressful. I think I'm leaning towards Clitheroe at the moment, really because of the greater amount of beautiful countryside on the doorstep, but am keeping an open mind until we've had a good look at both. It may be that one place turns out to seem much better or worse from the job point of view, so that may change things anyway. Please add any further thoughts if you think of anything else that may be useful - it really does help!

We moved to Tarporley (near Chester) about 2 years ago from abroad, and based our decision on close proximity to friends and family, as well as great schools.
I was worried it might be a bit cliquey here, but it's really not! Everyone is so lovely, and we haven't been made to feel like the newcomers.
There are some lovely walks close by (Beeston Castle, Bickerton Hill, Delamere Forest etc), while still being only 25 mins from Chester and 40mins from Warrington.

Thanks @Darcy2, I've just been having a look at the area you mention and it looks really nice - the pics I've seen of the Beeston Castle area, Bickerton Hill and Delamere Forest look like just the sort of countryside we'd like to be near for walks. I don't suppose you know whether the schools in the area are generally oversubscribed, or not, do you? (off to do a search on schools in the vicinity now..!!)

Also, @Darcy2 (and anyone else who knows the area), are there any other villages in the Tarporley area you'd recommend we take a look at? The east / northeast side of Chester would be good for us in terms of work travel. Would like to avoid the kind of villages where most of the housing is on one busy main road through the centre. Having access to open space from the doorstep or very nearby would be a huge plus point.

I don't know if it would be your thing or not, but there is a place called Delamere Park in Cuddington. It's a more up market private housing estate which has a pool, squash courts, tennis courts, and bar so for residents only. Had a small kids play area and green space.

Tarporley High School is the only high school within a large radius, and takes all the students from the local villages including Kelsall and Delamere. It's Ofsted is Outstanding and I believe it's a teacher training centre too so will want to hold onto that rating I imagine! I'm not sure if it's oversubscribed or not - my son is starting in Sept and we didn't have an issue; however the next closest high school is 6 miles away so doubt they wouldn't have taken him.
You could also look at Delamere, Kelsall, Cuddington or Christleton; otherwise there are lots of small villages like Bunbury, Tarvin, Duddon etc.

Tarporley Primary is definitely not oversubscribed as they recently built an extension to accommodate the growing area, and there are some classrooms not yet in use.

@Puppywithattitude, doesn't sound like our thing and also I'm sure it would be way out of our price range - but thanks for the suggestion.
@Darcy2 - ooh, I'm starting to get a glimmer of hope re. schools!

Have a look at Great Barrow, it is about 10 min drive from Chester off the A51 and close to the Christleton schools. It's rural and my friends who live there love it. Traffic is a nightmare at rush hour but it is close to the M56.

OP I grew up in South Wirral, as a teen it was great being close to both Liverpool and Chester but still being in the countryside. Schools on the Wirral are good, I went to one of the grammar schools and would look to send my DC to similar if we're still living around here at that point!

I'd second the mentions for Heswall, Neston and Willaston, although if you do go over the border into North Wales you do tend to find you'll get a lot more for your money!

You do know if you come to live in Lancashire you have to own a dog? Think it’s a by law!!
Having lived both in Cheshire and Lancashire, I do prefer Lancashire. Although parts of Cheshire are nice (Nantwich).
Take a look at Longridge in Lancashire.

I live near Chester and can't fault it for certain things. (No young family so can't comment) but while Chester itself can be pricey for property there are plenty of more rural areas that are better value but still retain the benefits of Chester. I'm not native to the area but moved here and some of the countryside towards North Wales is lovely and I can't say I have ever felt unsafe.
I am not that familiar with Clitheroe but there is lots of industry outside Chester (commutable in 20minutes) and plenty of opportunities. Chester is a beautiful city and offers lots of amenities plus there are lots of out of town shopping (Cheshire oaks, Broughton Retail etc.) if you like shopping. There is lots of great dog walking only a short drive away including Delamere. The road network is good and well connected )can be busy though).
If you are not set on a certain area, definitely drive around and maybe book some airbnbs?? If schools are a big thing then work out from there. Some of the Cheshire countryside is lovely but don't discount jumping across the border to north wales. It really depends on your budget. But the same houses

We're planning a drive to Cheshire to have a nose around this week and will pop over Clitheroe way in the next couple of weeks too. Thanks for all this advice and opinion, it's so good to have some starting points and consider some of the things we hadn't thought about. Definitely going to be looking round Tarporley and the villages in that area, plus as much else as we can squeeze into the trip!
@Potionqueen my daughter has been desperate for a dog for the last few years and I've been saying we definitely will in the next year or so, but that we will wait in case we move house....so dog-walking country will be essential!

I grew up in Clitheroe and wild horses wouldn't drag me back to live there. I do like the Trough of Bowland though (which is very close to Clitheroe) and I love Lancaster.
I don't know Cheshire at all, so can't compare.

The latter has a brilliant Grammar school, hardly any if any parents tutor for admittance, too

Erm, I went there donkey's years ago and people tutored then (and the kids then struggled) and they certainly tutor now. They might not admit it though...

Im not far from Clitheroe. Used to go every week when my dd was small for baby classes. Ribchester, Whalley and Longridge would most interest me with the Ribble Valley. Whalley has a train station on the manchester to clitheroe line. Great dog walks. We were walking around Sawley at the weekend.

I don’t know Chester.

I used to live in leeds and would move back in a heartbeat if dh would ever agree. Far less rain.

Another thumbs up for South Wirral. Heswall, West Kirby, Parkgate ... great Grammar Schools, beaches, walks and proximity to Liverpool and Chester.

@Dappled That's exciting! You'll have to let us know how you get on! Good luck xx

I live in a fab village just south of Chester. Love it (but have primary age children rather than teenagers).

However, my absolute favourite thing about living here is Storyhouse, our amazing library/theatre/bar. It is perfect. My least favourite is that it is very flat. Which I imagine cannot be said for Clitheroe. I'd definitely be fitter if I lived there.....

I love the Ribble Valley. (Have you looked at Ribchester as a place to live if you want somewhere smaller?) Clitheroe is gorgeous and lively. I don't know Chester as well but it is very pretty and there's lots to do there.

@CallarMorvern

The latter has a brilliant Grammar school, hardly any if any parents tutor for admittance, too

Erm, I went there donkey's years ago and people tutored then (and the kids then struggled) and they certainly tutor now. They might not admit it though...

My kids went there too. The eldest left in 2000. Only one of her friends from primary was tutored & that was mainly parental anxiety - she’s a doctor now!

There were always few students with poorer GCSE results than the majority but I never knew if they were previously tutored or not. Intake was 120 for many years, & is now 150, but there has been a huge increase in housebuilding locally.

The high schools get some pretty good exam results too, and were also always much better at pastoral care and non-academic subjects. The grammar school took a very narrow view under the last 2 heads. There’s a new one now, a former sportsman, & the 2 deputy heads are both female, so it might be better...