Is this still the 'wag' capital of Britain?
For those on whom the modern world treads lightly, the word “wag” may perhaps denote a person of wit, a veteran japester, a practitioner of drunken escapades at the Drones Club. But for those of us who have never been able to shield our eyes from the horror of world events, the word conjures up an image of a very different kind of idle privilege.
It was during the 2006 World Cup, when the Wives And Girlfriends of England’s footballers stepped out into the quiet town of Baden-Baden, tanned, long-haired and pouting, that “Wag” became universally accepted shorthand for a certain type of woman: one about whom everything, except her handbag, was possibly fake.
And when she wasn’t on tour, she was strongly supposed to be found in her habitat; Alderley Edge, a Cheshire village in the “golden triangle” south of Manchester, bursting at the seams with millionaire footballers.
Twelve years ago, Coleen Rooney was the youngest of the group, but with Wayne Rooney’s retirement from England duties she has been superseded by a new generation of Wag. The cast may have changed – but do leopards change their print?
On a sunny but quiet Wednesday afternoon, a daytripper cruising along London Road, the main drag of the village, might not immediately notice anything unusual. Drivers flit in and out of the big Waitrose like bees in a hive. The houses are not extraordinarily large.
And yet... what village has a Costa and a Caffè Nero? Only then might our passing wayfarer notice the copper and chrome wine bars, the polished lifestyle boutiques, the Margaret Dabbs.
Still, there’s a sleepy quality to it all. Cannes this is not. The few faces drinking al fresco in the spring sun are conspicuously pale. The azure Porsche, albeit with reg plate R5 HOT, is tidily parked, decidedly not revving. Where are the Real Housewives of Cheshire? Where is the excess?
Enquire about the famous clientele within any one of the shops and response is discreet. Some will even say it isn’t the hub it once was. George Osborne used to drop by master bakers G Wienholt for a meat pie, but he isn’t MP for Tatton any longer. David and Victoria are long gone. A local says that the nearby beauty spot – the eponymous Edge – attracts an outdoorsy dog-walking crowd you can spot by their anoraks. And on Fridays and Saturdays, the village welcomes a crepuscular kind of daytripper, keen to see and be seen in the bars.
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Six good reasons to visit Alderley Edge
The walk: Alderley Edge
A dramatic red sandstone escarpment with impressive views, owned by the National Trust. The woodland walk begins at Alderley Edge railway station and takes in Cheshire farmland and mature Scots pines and beech woodlands – as well as some intriguing legends.
The bakery: G Wienholt
Five generations of the Wienholt family lie behind this traditional bakery established in 1950. A feast for sweet and savoury fiends alike. Bobby Charlton is a fan.
The bar: The Botanist
A rambling bar/restaurant with room for all and a low-key, botanical vibe, this takes its cue from the Potting Shed plant shop next door. Live flowers and live music, every night.
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The pub: The Wizard Inn
Sitting on National Trust land minutes from the centre of Alderley Edge, The Wizard offers up traditional food and décor with contemporary accents. Stone floors, scrubbed wood tables and beamed ceilings make it a cosier option than the blingier bars in the village. Dog-friendly.
The clothes shop: Coggles
This newly opened flagship store of the online designer retailer is located in a former bank. The old vaults double up as part of the men’s section where (presumably) footballers can shop in absolute privacy.
The restaurant: Gusto
A popular dining option in the high street with cosy booths and big sharing tables. The front terrace is well placed for people-watching.
