Inside quaint Cheshire village where Martin Lewis grew up as houses now fetch £325k

Martin Lewis, the UK's most famous money saving expert, grew up in a rural village in Cheshire surrounded by idyllic countryside - and it's now a property hotspot

Martin Lewis CBE, an award-winning journalist and consumer champion, has assisted millions of Brits in saving money and managing their finances.

The founder and Executive Chair of the popular Money Saving Expert website, this consumer expert 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. He has spent his career at the forefront of significant financial justice campaigns, including reclaiming bank charges and PPI.

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

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

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

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

Martin, originally from the quaint village of Norley near Frodsham, opened up on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs about the deep impact his mother Susan's sudden death had on him.

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

In 2018, Martin brought out a documentary titled '10 Things Your Kids Need To Know', which delves into how we can properly equip children to tackle the challenges that today's world throws at them.

Throughout this revealing programme, Martin allowed viewers a fleeting look at his past family residence in Norley a charming village hosting a mere 1,219 inhabitants and the homely Tigers Head pub.

Norley, though small, is masterfully crafted and sits merely a stone's throw away from Frodsham, a historic market town known for its traditional character, with roots stretching back to the 13th century. The local market still convenes weekly, adding to the allure of its heritage-rich streets, vintage edifices and unique boutiques.

For those visiting, the 12th-century St. Laurence Church is a must-see, along with inviting pubs and cafes, not to mention the Sandstone Trail beginning here, perfect for walkers.

Furthermore, its location serves as a prime spot for outdoor adventures and excursions to locales like Chester and the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

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

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

Just outside the town lies the 2,400-acre Delamere Forest. As one of the county's largest woodlands, it is ideal for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, birdwatching, and horse riding.

The forest's varied landscape includes woodlands, clearings, and scenic trails, and is home to wildlife such as woodpeckers, buzzards, foxes, and deer.

It also boasts a visitor centre, cafe, picnic areas, and a Go Ape adventure course. Its peaceful setting and proximity to Chester and Manchester make it a popular nature retreat.