Woolton Town Centre
Although Woolton is part of the City of Liverpool, it feels like a place apart. This is a proper village, not an anonymous suburb, and a rather lovely village it is too.
A number of Beatles-related landmarks have put it firmly on the tourist trail – John Lennon's childhood home can be found on Menlove Avenue, and Strawberry Field (Lennon added an 's' in his song title), the orphanage where Lennon played as a boy, is on Beaconsfield Road.
Lennon & McCartney first met, and later played together as the Quarrymen, at the hall in St Peter's Church. And by a curious coincidence, there's an Eleanor Rigby buried in the church's graveyard – though whether this is the person who inspired McCartney's song is moot.
All of this means Woolton attracts its fair share of Beatles-obsessed day-trippers - the entrance to Strawberry Field is festooned with the names of fans who’ve travelled from just about every corner of the globe to pay homage to their heroes.
Georgian terrace, Woolton
But Woolton has a lot more to offer than Beatles shrines – if Lennon & McCartney had never set foot in the place it would still be well worth a visit, and the people fortunate enough to live here are justifiably proud of its many attractions.
At its centre is a conservation area with a fine collection of Grade II listed buildings – graceful Georgian terraces, impressive Victorian municipal buildings (the library, the swimming pool), and some gorgeous parks and gardens.
This is a prosperous place – not quite the most expensive in Liverpool, but not far off it. Classy local shops and restaurants line the streets, and Woolton is sufficiently well thought of to count discerning premiership footballers and prime-time actors among its residents.
There's a strong community spirit here and a determination to protect the genuine village ambience. In summer the place is a riot of colour thanks to the award-winning efforts of Woolton in Bloom, who also supply every shop with a Christmas tree to brighten the festive season.
Woolton Woods
Green spaces are among the village's most notable assets. Woolton was originally home to some large estates and the grounds that surrounded them now provide some outstanding parks and gardens.
Across the road from High Street you'll find the entrance to Woolton Woods, a 30 hectare park that was once part of the estate of Woolton Hall. It's a real gem with a spectacular floral clock at its centre as well as an award-winning walled garden.
North of the town centre, Reynolds Park is another delight – fourteen acres with a walled garden, informal woodland areas and rhododendron-lined footpaths.
The woods and Reynolds Park, along with the flower-bedecked village centre, have won Woolton many accolades: in 2006 it was named the Best Large Village entry in the Britain in Bloom competition.
Walled Garden, Reynolds Park
When you add good schools and good transport links to these attractions you begin to see why Woolton is regarded as one of the most desirable paces to live in Liverpool.
Prices are high and even if you have the money you might well struggle to get your hands on some of the primer properties here - in the village, especially, they don't come on the market very often.
Further out, to the East and South East, the housing stock is less choice (though still very good) and prices are less alarming. The good news is you don't need to be seriously wealthy to buy in Woolton – though it certainly helps to be quite well-off.
St Peter's Church, Woolton
Where is it? Hillfoot Road and Allerton Golf Course form the western border, Gateacre Brow and Beaconsfield Road border Gateacre to the North; Mackets Lane to the East is the border with Halewood; and when you cross the train lines to the South you’re in Hunt's Wood.
What's there? Quite a mixed bag. In the centre of the prestigious and beautifully maintained Woolton Village – a conservation area with some lovely Grade II listed properties – there's a fine stock of Georgian and Victorian homes, mainly terraces.
The village itself is the area bounded by Beaconsfield Road, Acre Road, Menlove Avenue and High Street, and it’s here that you'll find Woolton's most expensive homes – the period properties in the village centre, and large detached properties and substantial semis that fetch top dollar.
Stone cotttage, Woolton
Homes around the lovely Reynolds Park are especially pricey and sought-after, and the streets close to Camp Hill are also desirable – for more affordable options in this part of town, the 30s semis on Menlove Avenue, Vale Road, and the like, are a good bet.
South of the High Street, Speke Road runs down to Hunt's Cross. The streets off this to the East are a mix of semis and detached houses - 30s and more recent stock (80s). This part of Woolton is solid, but definitely more affordable than the Village.
Woolton is not a great place for bargains, but if your budget is tight you might want to consider the cute two-up, two-downs in the middle of the village, or the more affordable semis on Out Lane. There's also some ex-council property on Witney Road and surrounding streets.
There isn't a great deal of new-build in Woolton – though there some apartments on Mason Street and luxury options off Acrefield Road on Hillside Drive.
Detached house near Reynolds Park
Buyers: Mainly families and professionals; some premiership footballers and prime time actors. Not a big investment market – aside from top end lettings.
The Pros: Lovely village with great stock of beautifully maintained listed properties; good community spirit; excellent local facilities; lots of fine green spaces close by; good schools;
The Cons: Main issue is price – can be expensive. Nearest station is Hunt's Cross.
Acresgate Court, Gateacre
Where is it? North of Woolton – Gateacre Brow is the border. Gateacre (pronounced Gat-acca) is a small area roughly bounded by Gateacre Park Drive and Childwall Valley Road.
What's there? In the centre, off Gateacre Brow, Gateacre village is a conservation area with a fine collection of period properties: Sandstone cottages, stock from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and mock-Tudor properties from the nineteenth century.
Elsewhere it’s a mix of council estates from the 60s, 30s properties and more recent development from the 80s. Generally speaking, it’s more affordable than Woolton.
There's a local shopping centre (Belle Vale) with 60 stores, including Woolworths, Boots, Tesco, Iceland, and Belle Vale Park - areas of grassland with stands of mature trees, a children’s play area, multi-use game court and informal football and tennis provision – is a welcome addition to the place.
Grange Lane, Gateacre
Buyers: Mainly families. First-time buyers can also find something more affordable here.
The Pros: Some charming period properties in the village, which is carefully protected by the Gateacre Society. Good schools, some nice green areas and properties at more affordable prices than Woolton.
The Cons: The village is a bit of an oasis surrounded by less alluring council estates and modern stock; nearest train station is Hunt's Cross.
Ashton Drive, Hunt's Cross
Where is it? South of Woolton – when you cross the train lines at the end of Speke Road you're into Hunts Cross . Hillfoot Avenue runs through the centre, East to West and the area extends southwards off Wooden Road and Speke Hall Road.
What's there? Again, a mixed bag. 30s semis and council properties, and, near Hunt's Cross station some fine Edwardian houses (on Hillfoot Road and Ashton Drive.)
There's also a large Bellway development in Hunts Cross with apartments, mews houses, town houses and semis – it’s called Hunt's Cross Village and is located just off Woodend Avenue.
South of here is a large industrial area between Hunt's Cross and Speke – follow Speke Hall Avenue and you'll end up at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
New-build development, Hunt's Cross 
Buyers: Again, this is a family area - but the station and new-build developments attract couples and professionals.
The Pros: More affordable than Woolton; handy for Hunts Cross Station and John Lennon airport; some nice period stock; good supply of new homes.
The Cons: Doesn't have quite the village ambience of Woolton or anything like the stock of period properties.
Hunt's Cross station
Trains: Hunts Cross Station is one mile south of Woolton. It will take you into Liverpool Lime Street.
Buses: The bus service will take you to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Liverpool city centre, adjacent areas and the rest of Liverpool.
Road: Handy for the A562, which will take you into Liverpool and out to the M62. It also connects to the A553, which links to the M56.
Air: Liverpool John Lennon airport is just south of Hunt's Cross.
Liverpool Cheese Co., Woolton
Woolton Village: Attractive Georgian village with some upmarket local shops – health food, cheese specialists, designer children's clothes, The Scotch Beef Shop. Also banks, estate agents, Tescos, etc.
Hunt's Cross: Local shops and businesses on Hillfoot Avenue. Also a large Asda in Hunt's Cross Shopping Centre on Speke Hall Road.
Gateacre: There's a local shopping centre (Belle Vale) with 60 stores, including Woolworths, Boots, Tesco, Iceland.
The Grapes, Woolton
Eating: Good restaurants in Woolton – and the place is affluent enough to support them. La Bistro Pepperpot and Morgan's are among the best. Also fine dining at the upmarket Woolton Redbourne Hotel. Several takeaways – a chippie, Chinese, Indian.
Cafes: Several nice places to sip a cup of cappuccino - The Metro (Hunt's Cross), Let's Eat (Woolton).
Pubs: Good collection of local pubs – The Elephant, The Coffee House, Gardeners Arms, The Grapes, The White Horse. Some good pubs in Gateacre Village: The Bear & Staff, The Black Bull and the Brown Cow.
John Lennon's childhood home, Woolton
Cinema: There was a local cinema but this has now closed.
The Beatles: If you’re a fab four fan, there are various places to visit: John Lennon's childhood home on Menlove Avenue, Strawberry Fields on Beaconsfield Road, and the grave of Eleanor Rigby at St Peter's Church. The church hall here was also where Lennon & McCartney first met.
Woolton Swimming Pool: Attractively housed in a Victorian building, it has an 18m swimming pool and caters for school groups, swimming clubs and public swimming.
Golf: Woolton golf course, Lee Park golf course and Allerton Park golf course are all close by.
Reynolds Park, Woolton
Reynolds Park: Fourteen acre park bounded by Church Road, Woolton Park and Woolton Hill Road. It contains listed features including the walled garden and gatehouse, informal woodland areas and rhododendron-lined footpaths.
Camphill and Woolton Woods: A 30 hectare park, originally part of the estate of Woolton Hall. Great place for walking, running, dog walking, football, cycling, picnicking, and bird watching. At the heart of the park lies the walled garden, originally the old kitchen garden.
Halewood Triangle Country Park: In the borough of Knowsley, but close to Woolton, this green space includes an extensive bridleway network, the Trans Pennine Trail long distance cycleway that runs through the site, and a number of ponds, one of which is leased to Halewood Angling Club.
Woolton Woods, Woolton
Calderstones Park: Over in Allerton, but not far from Woolton Hill, this is one of the city's largest parks and a recognised Botanic Garden. It includes the Georgian mansion house, numerous flower gardens, tennis courts, a children's play area, ancient woods, a lake and boat house.
Clarke's Gardens: Small animal farm, parklands and restaurant. A section of the garden is fenced off to house a collection of goats, geese, ponies, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Belle Vale Park: In Gateacre - areas of grassland with stands of mature trees, a children’s play area, multi use game court and informal football and tennis provision
Quarry Street Playground: Swings, rotational climber, junior slide, seesaw, climbing frame, spring mobile.