It’s easy to see why Caldy is one of Britain’s most desirable places to live.
Dotted with mega-mansions, the village of Wirral is one of the region’s millionaires’ playgrounds, home to local celebrities and footballers. Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush and Rafa Benitez have all lived there over the years. Property experts from across the country recently gave their verdict on Britain’s most desirable villages – and Caldy was in the top 30 of the list.
The village was praised for offering ‘visitors stunning views of the River Dee and the Welsh Hills’. Speaking to Wirral estate agent Mail+, Liam Gretton said: “The area is often associated with Premier League footballers and celebrities seeking privacy.”
The area is home to highly regarded educational institutions, including Calday Grange Grammar School, where James Bond actor Daniel Craig attended as a sixth form student. We took a look at life in the exclusive Merseyside enclave, where properties sold for an average of £939,295 last year.
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Caldy is one of the Wirral Peninsula’s most affluent villages and is within easy reach of West Kirby and Thurstaston. The area is full of buildings made from local red sandstone, with high walls enclosing vast, expansive properties.
If you take a walk along Croft Drive you will have access to Caldy Beach. Described by visitors as a hidden gem, the secluded beach boasts white sand and stunning views over the Dee Estuary.
A railed walkway leads down to the beach, while those who want to enjoy the coastal views can sit on a bench on the cliff above. The Wirral Way, a walking and cycling path on the track of an old railway line, can be accessed from Caldy.
The route stretches for over 12 miles from West Kirkby to Hooton in Chester and includes the Wirral Country Park. The leafy village has plenty of places to enjoy views of North Wales, but a particularly popular beauty spot is National Trust site Caldy Hill.
The woodland walk is accessed along Caldy Road and parking is available on Wirral Way. Caldy Hill offers panoramic views across the Dee Estuary to Hilbre Island and beyond on a clear day.
Sandstone was quarried from Caldy Hill to build many local walls and buildings. There are currently dozens of houses on the market in Caldy, with price tags between £350,000 and £4 million.
One property recently put on the market for £3.5 million was on a private road off Thorsway. The six-bedroom country house, Rockmount, is built on a former quarry at the top of Caldy Hill.
The property recently featured in the new Channel 4 drama, The Gathering. It features a heated outdoor swimming pool and a 1.18 hectare plot surrounded by more than 10 hectares of National Trust woodland.
According to the Right Move list, the mansion, built in 2013, was nominated for the RIBA Mansell House of the Year. The jury said: “featuring elements of mid-century modern homes on America’s west coast, it is an original and inspiring new composition that matches the quality of its surroundings in every respect.”
This property is located elsewhere, in the prestigious enclave of Kings Drive. The property is currently for sale for £2.35 million and features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and four reception rooms.
The 12 meter swimming pool is the real star of the show, with its own kitchen, changing areas, shower and toilet facilities. The south-facing garden is surrounded by woods and features manicured lawns, a greenhouse and its own tennis court. Caldy Golf Club can be found on Links Hey Road, with beautiful views of the coast.
Caldy is located south-east of West Kirby, meaning it is within walking distance of the area’s shops, pubs and cafes. It wasn’t the only area of Merseyside to be named as one of the 30 most desirable places to live in Britain.
Hightown was recently crowned Britain’s best city in a Which? questionnaire. The coastal town offers pebble beach walks and boasts one of Britain’s 50 best pubs, The Pheasant Inn. Peacocks have even been spotted walking down the main street of the village
You can find out which other areas are on the list here.
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