Inside pretty UK village where Martin Lewis grew up as homes fetch £324k

Martin Lewis has had a successful career in journalism and as a television presenter and is known for helping people save money - but he grew up in a rural village in Cheshire

Award-winning journalist and consumer champion Martin Lewis CBE has empowered millions of Brits to take charge of their finances.

The founder and Executive Chair of the popular Money Saving Expert website, this consumer whizz also hosts his own prime-time ITV show, is a charity founder, author, and according to Google, the UK's 'most searched-for' British man. His career has been marked by leading major financial justice campaigns, including reclaiming bank charges and PPI.

Every week, Martin Lewis provides comfort, consolation, and stellar financial advice to people across the UK on his ITV1 show The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live. Viewers occasionally witness him becoming emotional as he strives to assist those in dire straits.

The epitome of a 'man for the people', Martin was born in Didsbury, a suburb of Manchester, but spent his formative years in a rural village in Cheshire's Delamere Forest, attending The King's School in Chester.

He later studied Government and Law at the London School of Economics, where he engaged in political campaigning, before earning a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism at Cardiff University, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Currently, Martin resides in London with his TV presenter wife Lara Lewington and their daughter Sapphire. Despite a blissful childhood in rural Cheshire, his world was shattered when his mother tragically passed away just before his 12th birthday.

Martin, who grew up in Norley near Frodsham, opened up to BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs listeners about the devastating impact of his mother Susan's passing.

"My mum was there one day and she wasn't the next and that was it," he reflected. "This was 1984 and you didn't have counselling. My childhood ended that day and I am still not over it."

In a touching 2018 documentary '10 Things Your Kids Need To Know', Martin focused on how we can equip our kids to tackle todays challenges head-on. During the show, Martin offered a rare peek inside his childhood home in picturesque Norley.

This charming village, home to just 1,219 people, features the welcoming Tigers Head pub.

Though small, Norley boasts a perfect location just five miles from the historic heart of Frodsham, a market town sporting ancient roots and a market charter harking back to the 13th century. Frodsham maintains its market tradition every week, contributing to its old-world allure with classic streets, heritage-rich buildings, and quaint local businesses creating an air of timeless beauty.

Tourists can check out the centuries-old St. Laurence Church, sample fare from cosy pubs and cafes, or trek the famed Sandstone Trail which originates in the town.

Furthermore, Frodsham's strategic position is ideal for various outdoor activities and sightseeing opportunities, with easy access to Chester city centre and Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

In 2022, Frodsham topped the chart of ten rural towns, villages and hamlets that are drawing the most attention from buyers seeking a significant lifestyle change, as ranked by Rightmove.

Frodsham is a highly sought-after place to live, with properties averaging at £324,842 over the past year. Detached properties were the market's mainstay, fetching an average of £461,779, while semi-detached homes averaged at £300,604 and terraced properties at £207,462, as per Rightmove's data.

Just a stone's throw away from the town lies the sprawling 2,400-acre Delamere Forest. As one of the county's largest woodlands, it's an ideal spot for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, birdwatching, and horse riding.

The forest boasts a diverse landscape of woodlands, clearings, and picturesque trails, and is a sanctuary for wildlife including woodpeckers, buzzards, foxes, and deer.

Additionally, it houses a visitor centre, cafe, picnic spots, and a Go Ape adventure course. Its serene environment and close proximity to Chester and Manchester make it a favoured nature retreat.