Charming chocolate-box town near Manchester with celebrity residents and Victorian villasThis charming town, set within the picturesque countryside and less than an hour's drive from Manchester, has celebrity connections, fairytale architecture and thriving independent shopsView 4 Images The UK town has a celebrity status (Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)A pretty town with a storybook charm is home to footballers and soap stars, alongside thriving independent stores. ‌The historic town of Knutsford is nestled in Cheshire and less than an hour's drive from Manchester. It's set among quintessential countryside and medieval architecture, with a high street brimming with independent shops, boutiques and eateries. But a wander around Knutsford is enough to feel as though you've stepped into a fairytale with its grand Victorian villas and 17th-century timber-framed cottages. Knutsford has two main streets, Princess Street and King Street, referred to by residents as the 'top' and 'bottom' streets.