Summary
Situated in the southeast of Greater Manchester, Stockport is a historic market town that actively participated in the region’s textile industry during the 18th and 19th centuries.
During this period, Stockport emerged as the hub of the UK’s vibrant fur felt hat industry, producing millions of hats for international markets each year.
A former hat factory now serves as the location for the country’s only dedicated hat museum.
This is one of several remarkable museums operated by Stockport Council, which offers a multi-site pass to provide discounted access to both this facility and numerous other notable attractions throughout the town, including the impressive 15th-century Staircase House located in the historic Market Place.
Let’s discover the notable attractions in Stockport:
1. Staircase House
One would not suspect from the exterior that this building contains the oldest townhouse in Stockport, dating back to approximately 1460. Many of the original timbers remain intact at Staircase House, which derives its name from its most distinguished attribute.
This remarkable Jacobean cage newel staircase, constructed in 1618, is one of only three still standing in the country and features intricately carved wooden designs.
Utilizing an audio guide, visitors can obtain insight into domestic life in Stockport throughout various eras and learn about the meticulous restoration efforts following a fire in 1995. The house offers an interactive experience, inviting guests to lift the quilt on the bedroom’s four-poster bed and attempt writing with a quill reminiscent of the 17th century.
After your visit, consider stopping next door at the inviting Blackshaw’s Cafe for lunch or a snack.
2. Hat Works
Housed within the historic Wellington Mill (1831), this engaging museum highlights Stockport’s illustrious hat-making heritage, appealing to a diverse audience ranging from fashion enthusiasts to industrial historians.
The Wellington Mill was originally established as a cotton-spinning factory before its transformation into a hat works in the 1890s.
Guests can explore two floors filled with interactive displays that transport them to an era when Stockport held the title of the UK’s hat-making capital.
The museum features 20 completely restored machines and a collection of over 400 hats, including top hats, bowlers, trilbies, and Homburgs from various regions of the world, many of which date prior to 1900. On selected days, aspiring designers can engage in millinery courses with professional hat-makers, along with a Family Fun Zone that offers hands-on educational experiences for younger visitors.
3. Bramall Hall
This recently restored Tudor manor house is set within 70 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland located to the south of Stockport.
The half-timbered mansion underwent multiple expansions and embellishments over several centuries, from the 14th to the 19th, while it served as the residence of the landowning Davenport family.
Bramall Hall reopened to the public in 2016, allowing visitors to appreciate its ornate facade, enigmatic wall paintings dating back to the 1500s, exquisite Elizabethan plasterwork, and Victorian kitchens and servants’ quarters.
The gardens, once a part of a vast 2,000-acre estate, were redesigned in the Romantic Victorian style during the 1880s and are adorned with grand ancient trees, leading down to a scenic area of brooks and small lakes.
4. Stockport Museum
Located on Market Place, adjacent to Staircase House, Stockport Museum offers diverse exhibits that delve into various facets of Stockport’s history.
Exhibit areas highlight artifacts from the Iron Age settlement in Mellor and provide insights into life during Medieval Stockport.
Particular focus is devoted to the industrial growth of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as Stockport’s historical rope-making trade.
The museum underwent renovations in the 2010s to enhance engagement for younger audiences.
Notably, the exhibition “I am in Love” from 2017-2018 chronicled the impactful legacy of Strawberry Studios, showcasing recording equipment and profiles of influential figures like Martin Hannett, who contributed to shaping the sounds of bands such as Joy Division, New Order, and the Happy Mondays.
5. Stockport Air Raid Shelters
To prepare for potential aerial attacks on this industrial hub, nearly a mile of underground tunnels were excavated from the red sandstone beneath Stockport.
The extensive tunnel system began construction in 1938 and was ultimately expanded to accommodate up to 6,500 individuals.
Owned by Stockport Council, the largest tunnel was made accessible to the public in 1996.
Within these galleries, one can observe makeshift living quarters, restrooms, a sick bay, and an operational kitchen.
Visitors can experience life through the perspective of a wartime Stockport resident, and with the aid of an audio guide, one can envision what it might have entailed to await an air raid in this environment.
Self-guided tours are available on weekday afternoons (excluding Monday) and throughout weekends.
6. Stockport Town Hall
A striking example of Edwardian Baroque Revival architecture, Stockport Town Hall, completed in 1908, features bold pediments supported by Ionic columns and boasts a magnificent open clock tower.
Guided tours are available on weekdays, provided prior arrangements are made, and it is certainly worthwhile to step inside.
The entrance hall is adorned with Italian marble and leads to an impressive ballroom that houses a Wurlitzer organ (one of only 16 still in existence) that once belonged to the Paramount Theatre in Manchester.
The Council Chamber, where Stockport’s town council meets, is decorated with intricately carved oak benches, brass chandeliers, and spectacular plasterwork.
Furthermore, in the hall area, the town’s collection of silverware, featuring pieces dating back to the 1400s, is also on display.
7. Plaza Cinema
Inaugurated in 1932 as a Cine-Variety venue that blended films with live performances, the Plaza Cinema underwent restoration in the early 2000s after spending decades operating as a bingo hall.
This stunning Art Deco theatre has a seating capacity of over 1,300 and offers a vibrant lineup of events throughout the year.
Musicals, performances by renowned British comedians, theatrical plays, tribute bands, and talks by notable figures, such as historian Dan Snow, are all part of the program.
Additionally, there is a schedule of live screenings featuring productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
The cinema’s film offerings are equally diverse, including recent Hollywood releases, classic films by Hitchcock and Billy Wilder, as well as engaging sing-along events for musical films like The Sound of Music.
8. Stockport Market
Central to the community in Stockport, the market resides within a painted iron and glass structure dating back to the 1860s, affectionately known as the “Glass Umbrella.” An active market has existed in roughly this location since at least 1260.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, over 50 independent vendors congregate at the market, offering fresh farm produce in the Produce Hall, along with flowers, handicrafts, clothing, toys, jewelry, home goods, and vintage collectibles.
Patrons should be mindful of special weekend events, such as the Makers’ Market, where specialty goods—including Cheshire-distilled gin—are available.
9. Underbank Hall
Located on Great Underbank in the heart of Stockport, this remarkable 16th-century timber-framed townhouse is in excellent condition.
Home to a branch of NatWest Bank since 1823, Underbank Hall was sold by William Arden, a friend of the Prince Regent.
While on the street, observe the continuous fenestration on the ground level, as well as the intricate cornice patterns that embellish the gables, which feature delicate finials.
Inside, the mantelpiece in the primary banking hall and the manager’s office stand out as exceptional elements.
10. Avro Heritage Museum
A short drive south of Stockport leads to a fascinating aviation museum dedicated to the Avro brand, situated on the grounds of its former factory at the old Woodford Aerodrome.
Notable aircraft such as the Anson, Lancaster, Shackleton, and Vulcan were manufactured at this site.
Partially funded by BAE Systems, this museum has evolved from a previous Avro heritage center and opened its doors in 2015. It resides in the refurbished former fire station of the aerodrome and showcases the Avro Heritage Trust’s collection, featuring tens of thousands of aviation artifacts and documents.
A complete Vulcan is displayed outdoors, alongside portions of another Vulcan, a Lancaster bomber, an Anson, an Avro 748 series, English Electric Canberra, and a Vickers VC10.
11. Stockport Viaduct
The largest brick structure in the UK runs through the center of Stockport.
Constructed in less than two years for the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, the Stockport Viaduct (1840) now serves the West Coast Main Line and spans the River Mersey with 27 arches, reaching a maximum height of nearly 34 meters.
The statistics associated with this half-kilometer-long construction are astounding: 11,000,000 bricks were utilized, and 600 workers toiled in shifts around the clock to complete it.
For those interested in incredible feats of engineering, a delightful view is available from Wellington Road near the Hat Works Museum.
12. Etherow Country Park
Once an industrial site including a mine, cotton mill, and mill pond, this green space was among the first country parks established in the UK, founded in 1968. Surrounded by stunning 19th-century industrial architecture, the park lies on the banks of the River Etherow, situated at the foothills of the Peak District.
This river feeds the man-made reservoirs that previously powered the mills.
On a summer day, visitors can observe local sailing club dinghies gracefully navigating the reservoir and can relax at the outdoor café located by the water.
The Compstall Nature Reserve within the park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, characterized by a diverse mix of swamp, reed beds, fen, carr, open water, and varied woodlands.
For an unforgettable hike, Etherow Country Park serves as the starting point for the Goyt Way, which meanders southeast for ten miles toward Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire.
13. Strawberry Studios
A noteworthy destination for enthusiasts of Manchester’s music history, Strawberry Studios is a modest building located on Waterloo Road.
These once-operational recording studios have since been transformed into private offices, but the exterior displays a blue plaque commemorating the building’s significance in pop culture.
The studios were established in 1968 by future 10cc band members and were named in tribute to The Beatles’ song, Strawberry Fields Forever.
Over a span of 25 years, notable artists including Paul McCartney, Neil Sedaka, Joy Division, The Smiths, and The Stone Roses recorded their works in this facility.
For those interested in visiting, the building opens occasionally for heritage days, allowing guests to step inside.
14. Reddish Vale Country Park
Located in the Tame Valley, Reddish Vale Country Park encompasses 161 hectares of lush greenery along the riverbanks.
This serene environment consists of tranquil woodlands, riverside meadows, and hilly pastures suitable for grazing horses.
A striking 16-arch railway viaduct, built for the Hope Valley Line in 1875, spans the Tame River. The park features a network of paths, cycle trails, and bridleways, and the plentiful water sources attract a variety of wildlife, including breeding kingfishers, sand martins, and visiting grebes, herons, coots, ducks, and geese.
Adventurous hikers can use the park as a waystation for the Transpennine Trail or Midshires Way.
A small visitor center is housed in temporary cabins, along with a children’s animal attraction at Reddish Vale Farm and the established Reddish Vale Golf Club, founded in 1912.
15. Marple Lock Flight
Located a short distance east of Stockport in the village of Marple, one can discover a charming series of 16 locks on the Peak Forest Canal.
The canal, completed in 1796, encountered funding challenges that delayed the construction of this difficult hillside segment; as a result, a tramway was utilized until the lock flight’s completion in 1804. Commercial use of the locks ceased with the rise of railways, and they fell into disrepair until restoration efforts were undertaken in the 1960s and 1970s.
A leisurely walk through this Green Flag park to the top of the flight takes approximately 20 minutes, during which visitors can find a small visitor center located in a former toll house at the highest point.
During the summer months, one may not have to wait long to witness a narrowboat navigating through the locks.
