Stockport: History, Canals and Parkland

Hat Works is all about the hat industry, hats and headwear. It is the only museum in the United Kingdom dedicated to these subjects. Factory-floor tours take place on selected days; check the dates if you would like to plan a tour.

Museums and architectural history

Stockport Air Raid Shelters opened in 1939 and were the largest purpose-built civilian air-raid shelters in the country. They lie deep beneath a natural sandstone cliff and offer insights into the wartime experiences of local people. Staircase House offers a different perspective on architectural history: the house contains one of only three surviving Jacobean cage-newel staircases in the country. This rare staircase provides a striking feature alongside insights into Stockport’s history.

Bramall Hall is a Tudor mansion with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It sits in around 70 acres of parkland with woodland paths, streams and lakes. The Avro Heritage Museum focuses on the history of Alliott Verdon-Roe and his company A.V. Roe & Co (Avro). The museum is also home to the only example of a Vulcan bomber painted entirely white. Tours can be booked in advance for clubs and groups.

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery also combines art and architectural history: it is Grade II* listed and regularly hosts exhibitions across all four galleries. Stockport Story presents the history of Stockport, from the Palaeolithic to the present day, under one roof. Together, these places offer different ways to explore—from a single staircase and a mansion to art and the city’s long history.

Parks and trails

There are several different landscapes to choose from if you want to focus on the outdoors. Etherow Country Park covers 240 acres of green space and is home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife. Its facilities include sailing, motorboating and fishing. Reddish Vale Country Park stretches across 161 hectares along the River Tame. It has walking, cycling and horse-riding trails that connect with routes along the Goyt, Etherow, Saddleworth and Longdendale.

In the Goyt Valley, Chadkirk Country Estate includes a 60-acre farm and a 16th-century chapel. The estate is a ten-minute walk from Romiley railway station. Middlewood Way offers a longer connection: the 11-mile route runs from Marple to Macclesfield, is mostly flat and is accessible to wheelchair users. Mersey Valley Way is suitable for walking, using mobility aids and cycling.

Locks, town centre and rail

Marple Locks form a flight of 16 locks and are among the steepest flights of locks in Britain. The towpath alongside the locks is open at all times and is a five-minute walk from Marple railway station. The routes offer different options for planning your day: an 11-mile connection between two places or a short walk from the station to a towpath.

Stockport’s rail-connected districts include Marple, Reddish North, Rose Hill and Romiley; they have direct links to the centre of Manchester. Stockport is ten minutes by train south of Manchester city centre, although journey times may vary. Check the timetable for your travel dates.

Stockport Market Place is the historic heart of the town and an important part of the town centre. Little and Great Underbanks are historic streets next to the Market Place. Foodie Friday is another part of the local offering: the monthly street food event at Stockport Market brings together local traders, craft ales and live music. Check the event dates if you would like to plan your visit around it.

When choosing where to stay, consider whether you would prefer to spend your days exploring local history and exhibitions, historic architecture, or trails and landscapes. The rail connections and walking times listed here offer practical guidance; timetables and event dates depend on your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Bredbury, Stockport, Liverpool, Wigan, Cumbria, Warrington, Cheshire, Lancashire.

Go to the main travel overview: North West England.