Stockport

The Greater Manchester town of Stockport, stands on the River Mersey and stretches between the metropolis of Manchester and the beautiful Derbyshire Peaks. It is the largest town within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport with a population of around 136,000. Stockport is a place of contrast and diversity with attractions ranging from the Hat Works Museum and Bramall Hall, to Stockport County Football Club’s home ground of Edgeley Park. The town boasts an excellent range of shopping facilities, theatres and cinemas and an enticing variety of bars and restaurants.

Attractions

Bramall Hall is one of the UK’s only remaining Tudor halls. The black and white timber-framed manor house dates back to Medieval England. Explore the 70 acres of parkland with a woodland walk, a picnic beside one of the two lakes or a stroll through the landscaped gardens.

The UK’s last remaining hat factory was located in Stockport, on Wellington Road South, where the Hat Works Museum now stands. The museum is unlike any other in the country – it is the only exhibition focussing on the hat industry and changing fashions of head wear. Open every day of the week, it is an interesting day out for all the family.

Stockport Museum can be found in the attractive surroundings of Vernon Park and has recently been restored to its original Victorian condition. It is one of the only purpose built museums in the country and has many collections and exhibitions to offer visitors, including the current textile and costume collection. The museum is a place of contrasts, much like the town itself, offering modern interactive displays alongside pieces of fine art which date back to the 1850s, and offers visitors a glimpse of the town’s interesting history, which goes all the way back to the the Stone Age.

Stockport Plaza, located in Mersey Square, was opened in 1932 and was one of the most luxurious and ornate cinemas in northern England. In 1966, however, it was closed and for the next 42 years was used as a bingo hall. In 2000 the building was reopened as a cinema after Stockport Borough Council bought and refurbished it in 1998. Not only does the Plaza offer cinema screenings, but also live shows.

Shopping

Much like the rest of Stockport, the shopping facilities which the town has to offer are diverse - keen shoppers can pick up anything from books and CDs, to designer clothes and fresh produce. It is ideal for both window shopping, and serious shopping as it bustles with people from all over Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The main shopping centre boasts all the high street shops you would expect to see in any town, as well as many independent retailers who are unique to the area.

The 700-year-old market is located in the heart of the historic town centre and is home to over 200 stalls. Offering fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy produce and much more, Stockport market is a must for any discerning shopper!

If you feel like a change, Manchester is only a short drive away and offers scores of designer shops including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols or you could visit the famous Trafford Centre, the largest shopping and leisure complex in Europe.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Stockport is the perfect place for a night out, with its vibrant atmosphere, live music and non-stop nightlife. The town centre is home to many cafés, bars, restaurants and clubs, as well as theatres and cinemas, so there is always something to do on a night out.

Stockport is also home to Robinson’s Brewery, so the many traditional pubs should never be short of beer!

Tourist Information

Stockport Tourist Information Centre Staircase House30 Market PlaceStockport SK1 1ESTel. 0161 474 4444 tourist.information@stockport.gov.uk

Airport

Manchester Airport is one of the biggest airports in the UK and is less than 10 miles away from Stockport. With a motorway running most of the way to Stockport, it is easy to find and quick to get there. Manchester offers flights to just under 200 destinations world-wide.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of the oldest operational airports in the UK and is less than an hour away from Stockport town centre.