The gorgeous villages on the outskirts of Manchester that will make you yearn for the quiet life – Manchester Evening News

Greater Manchester is a great place.

But sometimes, a trip to a beautifully quaint village, well away from the stresses of city life, is just what the doctor ordered.

And you don't need to go far to encounter the quiet life.

On the very outskirts of Greater Manchester are some unbelievably stunning villages.

These little gems, nestled in the sprawling green valleys and hillsides, are a short commute from the city, but a world apart from the urban bustle.

With gorgeous homes and an abundance of community spirit, it's hard not to be tempted to escape to one of these beautiful villages.

45 minutes from Manchester

Nestled in the scenic Hope Valley, the tiny village of Edale is the start - and end - of the UK's first and most famous long distance walking path - the Pennine Way.

As a gateway to the stunning Peak District, its surrounded by some of the best walking country in the UK, which includes a series of striking hills contoured by the waters of the River Noe.

The village itself is overlooked by the imposing peak of Kinder Scout and is comprised of picturesque stone houses and buildings, with two pubs, a caf, a local shop and two camp sites - all of which make up a truly beautiful place.

It's also easily accessible by train, with a frequent service in and out of the local station, which takes in some of the phenomenal views seen along the Sheffield line.

A little piece of paradise.

25 minutes from Manchester

Situated in the heart of a conservation area in a small valley, the village of Padfield is surrounded by greenbelt countryside.

Perched on the edge of the Peak District National Park, it's been designated for its special architectural and historical interest.

As well as a rich and diverse landscape and a wealth of local wildlife to discover, the village lies close to the stunning Longendale Trail and Valley.

The long-distance walking trail follows the former Woodhead Railway Line which once connected Manchester and Sheffield, which has since been reclaimed by nature.

Set against the backdrop of the green fells of the valley and a chain of six reservoirs, it's a beautiful spot to get back to nature.

The village itself is a close-knit community with streets lined with rows of quaint stone houses and leafy green spaces, with a pub, a chapel, an art gallery and a primary school.

You wouldn't believe it was so close to a major city.

40 minutes from Manchester

The small hamlet of Pott Shrigley is located in a beautiful corner of Cheshire, and a gorgeous example of modern rural life in the UK.

The buildings that make up the village are huddled together under the shadow of the traditional church spire, close to two stunning valleys and overlooked by woodland on the high ground.

A visit in spring will boast a wonderful display of bluebells along the road up to the Victorian manor house Shrigley Hall, but whatever the time of year there will be phenomenal views in all directions of the surrounding hillside.

With around 300 residents, the village is home to a small school, a church, a pub and a cricket ground and a babbling stream runs through the centre of this idyllic slice of country living.

A beautiful place, whatever the weather.

45 minutes from Manchester

You'll find Marsden in the picturesque Colne Valley on the doorstep of a National Trust estate and a landscape steeped in history.

Surrounded on three sides by moorland, the brooding landscape is a contrast to the idyllic image of the village.

With peaks, canals, valleys and reservoirs there's a whole host of outdoor delights to see - and it's also home to the highest and deepest tunnel in Britain.

And, for real ale fans, Marsden is a haven for craft beer with the Riverhead Brewery Tap, The Sair Inn, Golcar Lily or Rose and Crown to name a few.

It's also a popular spot for TV and film - many will recognise the village from ITV''s Where the Heart Is, Jericho, BBC's Last of the Summer Wine and the blockbuster A Monster Calls.

A thriving village that embraces its industrial heritage while retaining its rural charm.

40 minutes from Manchester

Just a few miles out of Chorley you'll find the rural village of Rivington, nestled in miles of farmland, moors and several hill summits.

Dubbed 'The Little Lake District', the village attracted large numbers of visitors in the Victorian times - from the working class escaping the gloomy mills, to middle classes arriving on the newly build railway.

Its spectacular landscape has been the muse for many an artist, and its rolling hillside and gorgeous peaks play host to the Rivington Pike Fell Race, drawing scores of walkers, hikers and cyclists.

The tiny village has a thriving tourist industry thanks to its picturesque surroundings, sparkling reservoirs, the stunning Lever Park, along with the historic Rivington Pike, that sits atop a hill, and its nearby adventure centre.

Surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery, this sleepy village is perfect for those wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of busy modern life.

35 minutes from Manchester

Perched on the very edge of the Pennines in the ancient royal hunting ground of the Rossendale valley is the small village of Crawshawbooth.

Surrounded by farm land and open green moors, it welcomes scores of walkers who come to visit the picturesque village and its surrounding hillside.

Home to a number of heritage properties, Crawshawbooth is also history-lovers dream.

Guests will find Crawshaw Hall, a Grade II* listed mansion which has since been transformed into a nursing home, and the Quaker Meeting house is the oldest in the world - dating back to 1716.

It also has its own art gallery, the See Gallery, which houses regular exhibitions from both national and international renowned artists.

The town also used to be the home of formerEnglandandManchester UnitedfootballerPhil Neville.

45 minutes from Manchester

The ancient village of Mytholmroyd has existed since the 13th century - and has the remains of human settlement dating back to the prehistoric times.

There's a Bronze Age urnfield on the moor top, complete with cremation urns dating between the 16th and 11th centuries BC - plus evidence of prehistoric farming.

A roman coin hoard has been found to the south of the village.

Today the village sits in a designated conservation area with over 21 listed buildings in the centre alone.

Regular markets and a high street boasting boutique shops and restaurants attract visitors all year round.

This idyllic location is the perfect place for unwinding after a busy day.

30 minutes from Manchester

The scenic Derbyshire village of Tintwistle is lucky enough to share its border with the stunning Peak District National Park and a designated conservation area, encompassing the beautiful countryside along the Longendale valley.

Some of the buildings in the old part of Tintwistle are said to date back as far as the 16th century, including the Bull's Head pub.

The historic Christ Church in the village is grade II listed.

The newer part is made up of buildings from the Victorian era onwards.

Head down in June and experience the annual village well dressing ceremony, a Derbyshire tradition where the local holy well is decorated with hand-crafted decorations.

30 minutes from Manchester

Situated on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal, the township of Lymm dates back as far as medieval times, and is even mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Today, the town is a designated conservation area, owing to its natural features and historical buildings and landmarks.

The Lymm dam is an area of great beauty and serenity, and the surrounding woodlands and meadow offer not only a stunning backdrop, but boast a wealth of nature and wildlife.

The canal is used as a leisure facility, by fishermen, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Narrow boats can be seen sailing idly along the waters.

A dedicated walking route, the Lymm Heritage Trail, is a self-guided route which features the best of the natural heritage of the village and is a great way to explore the sleepy Cheshire town.

30 minutes from Manchester

Surrounded by green-belt land in the Cheshire countryside, Pickmere, near Knutsford, sits on the banks of a mere, which has proven a popular attraction for day trippers over the years.

The lake's crystal clear waters have become a well-known spot for water sports, and around the water there are plenty of nature trails, all with breathtaking views of the lake, the countryside, and the local wildlife.

The village is also home to two Grade II listed buildings - both historic farm houses.

And if you want a breath of fresh air, there are plenty of walking routes to make the most of the great outdoors.

45 minutes from Manchester

An attractive old farming village, Goostrey occupies a particularly beautiful part of south Cheshire, close to the world-famous Jodrell Bank Observatory and the iconic Lovell Telescope.

Originally a dispersed farming community, Goostrey is now a mixture of both traditional and newer developments all located in miles of open countryside.

It contains 24 listed heritage assets as well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (a bowl barrow near to Jodrell Bank Farm), and the observatory is one of a very limited number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites - listed alongside the likes of the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon.

But it's not all rural countryside and heritage - the village was one of the first in the UK to have a social media profile - on Myspace back in 2006.

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The gorgeous villages on the outskirts of Manchester that will make you yearn for the quiet life - Manchester Evening News