A tiny corner of Wigan has been named as one of the poshest villages in Britain.
Haigh has made it onto the list of the ‘smartest rural locations’ in the UK, published by the Daily Telegraph.
The list, including 54 locations, was researched by estate agents Savills.
The village, which can be found just a few miles out of Wigan town centre, was chosen for its historic buildings and stunning woodland park.
It also has one of the cheapest average house prices (£257,020) on the table, coming third behind Dinnington in Tyne & Wear and Newgale and Roch in Pembrokeshire.
It’s the only location in Greater Manchester to have made the round-up.
READ MORE: Life in the stunning, secluded Greater Manchester village that has no shops or restaurants
Speaking of Haigh, the Daily Telegraph said: “Shrouded by trees, Haigh is a hidden gem just a few miles from the busy Wigan town centre.
“There’s an imposing country mansion, Haigh Hall, built between 1827 and 1840, and the restored Haigh Windmill, originally used to pump water to Haigh Brewery.
“It is also home to Haigh Woodland Park, with miles of winding trails through woodland and manicured gardens.”
But what is life like in the poshest village in Greater Manchester?
(Image: Paige Oldfield)
The Manchester Evening News visited Haigh to find out.
Gordon Daniels has lived in the village for 50 years.
The 75-year-old says his favourite things about the area are the friendly neighbours and close amenities.
But there is one thing he isn’t so keen on.
“I love it here,” he told the M.E.N.
“I walk out of my front door and within 50 metres I’m in the woods right on the country park That’s the best thing.
“It’s great but there’s a lot of traffic.
“We’ve been getting wagons coming through and that’s not nice.
“I used to be able to walk across the road and not look.
“There are a lot of big houses down the lane where all the footballers live.
“Fifty years ago, it was more terraced houses. But it’s a lovely village; it’s so rural.
“A coach party came a few weeks ago and they thought the pub was the Woolpack from Emmerdale.
“It’s a good area and there are good neighbours. A couple moved in next door when I was trimming the bush, it was icy and they made me a coffee. They’re so nice.
(Image: Paige Oldfield)
“It’s a lovely place to live.”
Tom Hewitt loves being within walking distance of Haigh Hall and Haigh Woodland Park, where he often walks his dog, Ted.
The 31-year-old said: “I like living here even though it’s on a main road it’s relatively quiet in terms of the people around.
“I love the location. Haigh Hall is in walking distance and we have a dog so it’s handy.
“The pub gets everyone together by putting on events.
“It’s perfect. If you go further down into Aspell there’s the Co-op, the retail park, shops and a barber.
“I think (it’s been voted the poshest village) because of Haigh Hall. There are some really nice houses and it’s really picturesque.”
(Image: Paige Oldfield)
Sky Walsh also enjoys the close proximity to Haigh Hall.
“I enjoy the fact it’s just up the road from Haigh Hall because I’ve got a little boy so can walk down there whenever I want,” the 24-year-old added.
“There’s a school and a family friendly pub. It’s not too far from anything.
“I’ve got lovely neighbours.”
But Phil Hooson, who has lived in Haigh for four years, has “no idea” why the village would be named the poshest in the region.
He also believes the increased traffic and speeding is a major problem in the area.
(Image: Paige Oldfield)
“I like the immediate area and the amenities available,” the 68-year-old said. “The country walks are within a minute.
“The traffic is quite heavy and there’s no traffic management in regards to this village.
“We have a school, a church and people walking along here because it’s a nice place to walk down to Haigh Hall and there’s no traffic management.
“I have no idea why it’s been named the poshest.
“There are plenty of lovely places in Wigan.
“I’m quite surprised at that. It’s a nice place, but the poshest? I don’t think it warrants that accolade.”
(Image: Paige Oldfield)
Full list of most desired villages:
Bedfordshire: Studham (average property price £700,494)
Berkshire: Sunningdale (average property price £1,101,285)
Buckinghamshire: Turville (average property price £1,463,240)
Cambridgeshire: Hemingford Abbots (average property price £829,437)
Cheshire: The Alderleys (average property price £1,268,175)
Clwyd: Rowen (average property price £363,214)
Cornwall: Rock (average property price £1,080,534)
County Durham: Brancepeth (average property price £390,238)
Cumbria: Hawkshead (average property price £460,001)
Denbighshire: Llanarmon-yn-Iâl (average property price £290,118)
Derbyshire: Edensor (average property price £670,644)
Devon: South Pool (average property price £999,000)
Dorset: Studland (average property price £972,831)
East Lothian: Gullane (average property price £356,615)
East Riding of Yorkshire: Sutton upon Derwent (average property price £409,071)
East Sussex: Kingston-near-Lewes (average property price £782,339)
Essex: Ramadan Bellhouse (average property price £1,017,722)
Fife: Elie (average property price £349,951)
Gloucestershire: Bourton-on-the-hill (average property price £799,348)
Greater Manchester: Haigh (average property price £257,020)
Hampshire: Beaulieu (average property price £1,524,287)
Herefordshire: Bosbury (average property price £452,954)
Hertfordshire: Little Gaddesden (average property price £1,333,501)
Isle of Wight: Fishbourne (average property price £509,356)
Kent: Ightham (average property price £836,260)
Lancashire: Great Eccleston (average property price £430,630)
Leicestershire: Newton Linford (average property price £692,157)
Lincolnshire: Uffington (average property price £467,548)
Merseysire: Hightwon (average property price £299,304)
Monmouthshire: Shirenewton (average property price £474,775)
Norfolk: Burnham Market (average property price £826,770)
North Yorkshire: Kirkby Overblow (average property price £698,656)
Northamptonshire: Church with Chapel Brampton (average property price £681,450)
Northumberland: Warkworth (average property price £289,459)
Nottinghamshire: Colston Bassett (average property price £786,955)
Oxfordshire: Harpsden (average property price £1,307,182)
Pembrokeshire: Newgale and Roch (average property price £219,555)
Perthshire: Strathtay (average property price £287,476)
Ruthland: Burley (average property price £737,762)
Shropshire: Cound (average property price £454,587)
Somerset: Wellow (average property price £954,993)
South Yorkshire: Cawthorne (average property price £512,288)
Staffordshire: Shenstone (average property price £575,613)
Stirling and Falkirk: Killearn (average property price £315,927)
Suffolk: Walberswick (average property price £832,131)
Surrey: Shackleford (average property price £1,161,183)
Tyne & Wear: Dinnington (average property price £210,671)
Warwickshire: Whichford (average property price £901,115)
West Glamorgan: Oxwich (average property price £309,519)
West Midlands: Barston (average property price £571,202)
West Sussex: The Lurgashall, Lodsworth and Lickfold Triangle (average property price £1,055,250)
West Yorkshire: Scarcroft (average property price £630,325)
Wiltshire: Avebury (average property price £422,413)
Worcestershire: Ombersley (average property price £435,943)
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