Hi! I’m Thomas: Mancunian by birth, Peak District enthusiast and now ruling Macclesfield with my husband and two dogs in tow. Home host, culinary wizard (and occasional disaster-level househusband), world-class friend, and maker of an unbeatable cup of tea. Collector of too many plants, lover of sassy commentary, giver of unsolicited life advice, and professional judge of towel-folding skills. Guaranteed chaos with charm.

South Park is just behind the house—a beautiful 44-acre green space once part of the Ryles Park Estate. It has bowling greens, tennis courts, a skate and BMX plaza, play areas, table tennis, a bandstand and Ryles Pool with ducks and swans. To reach it, exit the house, turn left, then left onto Park Grove. The River Bollin Trail is a scenic 25-mile route through fields, woodland and countryside, ideal for longer walks. West Park offers gardens, open lawns, a playground, skate park and bowling green, and is home to Macclesfield Cemetery, where Joy Division’s Ian Curtis is laid to rest. For dinner, great nearby options include Prime Cut Bar & Grill, Aquila (Mediterranean tapas), Elaf Lebanese, Suburban (tapas and cocktails), Picturedrome’s independent food halls, Salvatores (authentic Italian), Turquoise Garden (excellent Chinese), Flower Pot pub, and Sutton Hall—an old country estate serving hearty roasts with a cosy countryside feel.