Stockport, Greater Manchester – Quick Guide
[Updated 31st July, 2009] Stockport is a large Metropolitan area to the south west of Manchester. The Metropolitan Borough of Stockport is home to around 280,000 people. The principal town in the Borough is the town of Stockport , which is home to around 136,000 people. It has good road and rail links to Manchester and Manchester Airport is not far away.
Many parts of the area are quite scenic and the Rivers Tame and Goyt both flow through the area.
Stockport is made up of a number of areas including Bramhall, Bredbury, Cheadle, Cheadle, Hulme, Compstall, Disley, Gatley, Hayfield, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Mersey, Heaton Moor, Heaton Norris, Heaviley, Marple, Mellor, Middlewood, New Mills, Offerton, Poynton, Reddish, Romiley and Woodford. These areas vary widely with some being predominantly urban in nature while others are suburban and rural.
There are many great things to see and do in Stockport and a few are listed below.
The Plaza – If you are looking for cultural experiences then why not visit the The Plaza, Mersey Square , Stockport . This is a 1930 style cinema theatre that is being restored to its former glory. It has a full schedule of shows and is well worth a visit.
Bramall Hall – a stunning example of a historic black and white timber-framed building
Chadkirk Chapel and Country Estate – a restored 14th Century Chapel, Country Estate and Local Nature Reserve located in Romiley, Stockport
The Hat Works – the Hat Works is a hat museum situated in a former hat factory in Wellington Mill, in Stockport town centre.
Stockport Viaduct – The Stockport railway Viaduct is a four-track railway viaduct which is a stunning architectural feature of the Stockport landscape. Built in Victorian times, it is 111 feet high (34 metres) and has 27 arches. The Stockport Railway Viaduct is now part of the main line rail service linking Stockport to destinations all over the UK.
Stockport Air Raid Shelters – During the Second World War a network of tunnels were created to provide air raid shelters for more than 6,000 people from Stockport . Located in the Chestergate area of Stockport , the Air Raid Shelters have been restored as a visitor attraction to show what life was like at the time.
Also of interest is Stockport Art Gallery. Another interesting destination is Staircase House a medieval building dating from around 1460. Another attraction, Vernon Park a Victorian park located in Offerton includes the Vernon Park Museum. The Stockport Story Museum, is a popular museum of Stockport’s history.
Stockport is home to two professional sports teams, Stockport County Football Club and Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club, both of which play at the Edgeley Park stadium.
