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Stockport, a town in Cheshire, arguably the 'Pride of Cheshire' in what we say at football.

Stockport, is based in one of the worst places for football, but one of the best places for travelling, with a connection to Manchester, by train, bus and motorway, has to be in a prime location, also with Manchester Airport just down the road in Heald Green.

Stockport, the home of the hat, is built on the famous river Mersey, which runs from Stockport to Liverpool.

Stockport owns one of the largest brick structures in Europe, currently at 111feet high.
The viaduct contains 11million bricks, which if laid end to end would stretch 1,500 miles!
It opened in 1842 with services running to Crewe, which enabled travelling to London.
It has 27 arches, 1 over the Mersey, 2 over the M60 and the rest over smaller roads or buildings.

Stockport Viaduct crossing the Mersey

New pictures to come soon!

Try these links to these pictures of Stockport, (Photos Thanks to Webaviation)
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/stockport/stockport.htm - That page has a set of Photos, they're all amazing quality, feel free to visit that page!
My current Favourites are...
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/stockport/m6785.htm - View of Stockport Pyramid and J1 M60
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/stockport/m6795.htm - View of Stockport Train Station and Grand Central leisure.
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/stockport/m6760.htm - View of basically everything... EP, Stockport Centre, Town hall, Viaduct, Castle Street, Edgeley.

Steeped in history, Stockport lies between the cosmopolitan city of Manchester and the beautiful countryside of the Derbyshire Peaks and the Cheshire Plains. The area boasts excellent shopping facilities, a diverse and interesting range of visitor attractions, stunning countryside and a number of thriving local centres.
Discover Stockport’s heritage attractions including Bramall Hall, a magnificent black and white Tudor manor house with Victorian additions set in 70 acres of parkland or visit Stockport Museum in the restored Vernon Park. Jane Austen fans can also visit the spot at Lyme Park where Mr Darcy dived into a lake in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
Learn about the origins of the expression 'Mad as a Hatter' at the unique, award-winning Hat Works Museum of Hatting; explore the magnificent neo-classical Art gallery; experience how thousands of people survived the Blitz in the underground tunnels of Stockport's Air Raid Shelter’s tours; or walk in the steps of St Chad at the peaceful 14th Century Chadkirk Chapel and Country estate.
Three rivers wind through the area, linked by walking and cycling trails to urban and countryside parks including Etherow and Reddish Vale, the Midshires Way and the Transpennine Trail. Alternatively take a scenic walk along the canal to Britain's second deepest flight of locks at Marple or stroll 100 feet above the leafy Goyt Valley at the Marple Aqueduct.
Browse amongst the stalls in Stockport’s traditional market with its Victorian glass-covered hall, sample the gastronomic delights of the restored Produce Hall, drop into Merseyway Shopping Centre or try the speciality shops to be found in Stockport's local centres.
If you enjoy comedy, live music or theatre, then the Plaza, Town Hall and Garrick Theatre offer a varied entertainment programme. Stockport also has a great selection of places to eat and drink.
Getting to Stockport could not be easier. The town enjoys excellent motorway and rail links and is a short drive from Manchester International Airport.

The historical centre of Stockport is the Market Place which is situated on a 240 million year old Red Sandstone cliff. This overlooks what was once an important ford over the River Mersey. This ford was the meeting point of several Roman roads. Roman artefacts have been found in the Borough, but whether there were Roman fortifications or settlements here, we do not know. The Saxons established a village on the site and this was the beginning of Stockport, The name was derived from two Saxon words: STOC - a stockaded place or castle, and PORT - a wood. Literally, a castle in a wood. There is sufficient evidence that a fortified stronghold existed in the vicinity in ancient British times, and that Agricola in AD79 recognised its strategical advantages and fortified Stockport to guard the passage of the Mersey. Following the Norman Conquest, we entered more certain times. Cheshire was established as one of three Counties Palatine guarding the Kingdom along its border with Wales. Their Earls were meant to be strong enough men to hold those lands for the Norman King, and if the opportunity of extending the territory of England arose, they would take it. From their Castle in Chester, the Norman Earls ruled their Palatinate as absolutely as did the King, his Kingdom, and it was to the King alone they were answerable. Like the King, the Earls of Chester created barons, exercising authority beneath them and responsible for raising armed men when they were required. One of those feudal barons was the Baron of Stockport. The second Sir Robert de Stockport played a part in the development of the town the direct consequences of which lasted over 600 years. Around the year 1220 he obtained a Charter (pictured above) from the Earl of Chester, Randle III, called Randle the Good, which granted the burgesses of Stockport the right to elect their own mayor, without interference from their Earl or Baron. Despite challenges and attempts to subvert it, that Charter, with only few changes served as the basis of local government in Stockport until the 1835 Municipal Corporation Act swept away such ancient traditions and privileges, and gave England and Wales a uniform pattern of local authorities. Stockport became a town divided into seven wards, with a Council consisting of 14 Aldermen and 42 Councillors. A further Act, in 1888, raised the town to the status of a County Borough.

The Town Centre Heritage Trail spans 800 years of Stockport's history. Whether you are a visitor, historian, a resident or a schoolchild, you will discover some of the town's most interesting and unusual sites.

The trail covers 36 sites of historic or social significance, including pubs, bridges, statues, museums and brows (a local term meaning a steep, sometimes cobbled hill). There is also an additional 8 places of interest beyond the town centre, but within easy walking distance. These are described and marked on a separate map within the Heritage Trail leaflet.

The trail starts at the Stockport Tourist Information Centre situated in the heart of Stockport's Market Place where you can collect your free Stockport Town Centre Heritage Trail.

It will take you approximately 90 minutes to walk, covering some 4 kilometres (2 miles) and requires 3,720 footsteps - depending on your stride!

The Air Raid Shelters

An extensive system of underground tunnels were cut into Stockport's red sandstone rock to accommodate thousands of people for prolonged periods of time during World War II.

The shelters were fitted with basic amenities: electric lights, benches and bunk beds, flushing toilets, first aid post and sick bay - there were even facilities for nursing mothers.

Today you can step back in time and experience the sight and sounds of Britain's Home Front, wander around a core area of authentically reconstructed tunnels which provide you with first hand experience of daily life in war-torn Britain.

In the company of an expert guide you will be supplied with a helmet and lamp and given the opportunity to witness the extent of Stockport's air raid shelter preparations.

Anderson Shelters were also popular locally and a reconstruction of one of these is on display, complete with bunks and table.

Stockport Viaduct

At 111 feet or 33.85 metres high, Stockport's railway viaduct is Western Europe's biggest brick structure and represents a major feat of Victorian engineering.

Eleven million bricks were used in its construction - if laid end to end they would stretch 1,500 miles! At one stage, 600 workers were employed in shifts, day and night, to complete the massive structure.

It opened in 1842 with services running to Crewe, enabling travellers from Stockport to reach London. Lowry was an admirer, depicting its 27 arches in a number of his works.

Floodlit and given a facelift in 1989 in a £3 million restoration project, the viaduct is now part of a main line service carrying passengers to destinations across the UK.

(Photos Thanks to Webaviation)
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/stockport/m6761.htm - Stockport Viaduct.

Stockport Plaza

The Plaza first opened its doors to the public on Saturday, 8 October, 1932.

Early programmes were a mix of cinema and live performance, or 'prologues' as they were known. A typical evening would feature jugglers, a magician or a comedian. Films shown included Laurel and Hardy in 'Jailbirds' and Gene Gerrard and Jessie Matthews in 'Out of the Blue'. Prices for the Plaza's first performance ranged from 7d (3p) to 2/- (10p).

One of the Plaza's greatest assets is the Compton cinema organ which has survived intact, unaltered and in working order. The Plaza is one of very few cinemas in the country which retains its original organ installation in such fine condition.

Today the Plaza is managed by the Plaza Theatre Trust and hosts a full programme of theatres, music and comedy.

NEW PICS COMING SOON

The opening of the park took place on Monday 20th September 1858.

This is Stockport’s oldest public park lying just to the east of the town centre. It’s an exceptional Victorian / Edwardian asset to both the local community and the North West region. The park is well used by schools for historical and environmental studies and provides unique areas for traditional pastimes such as crown green bowls in conjunction with beautifully restored areas of formal and informal parkland. The site also boasts a mature woodland along the river terraces which is being sensitively managed whilst maintaining public access.

Also to Vernon Park's acclaim, it has recently been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award.

NEW PICS COMING SOON 

Etherow Country Park lies at the heart of the Etherow/Goyt Valley and was one of Britain's first country parks. It is a lively area of woodland and riverside walks and a haven for wildlife.

The Park and Local Nature Reserve are managed by the local authority, for the public of Stockport and beyond. It is a place of conserved natural habitats and industrial heritage which is visited by literally thousands of people each year, who come to enjoy the many recreational activities on offer and the splendour of the wider park.

Established in 1968, Etherow Country Park is situated in the village of Compstall in Stockport and extends along the River Etherow corridor.This was once the site of a cotton mill built by the Andrews family during the 1820’s, whilst the Keg Pool and Woodland were the private hunting round for the family.

NEW PICS COMING SOON

Here you’ll find open countryside and woodland only 10 minutes drive from Stockport Town Centre. Surrounding the River Tame, it has been a favourite with locals for many years.

Website for the Vale - http://www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com/ - Top class site, with some amazing amazing pictures!

The Vale is full of walks of varying lengths in Tiviot Dale and Woodhall Fields at the lower end, and around the Visitor Centre and Mill Ponds at the northern end. There are walkers’ and cycle trail guides available at the Visitor Centre and a network of bridleways that link with horse trails in the Goyt Valley, Saddleworth and Longdendale.

Reddish Vale Country Park was opened in 1985.

The railway viaduct built in 1875 dominates the northern Vale. The cottages for the construction workers were near the mill ponds but have long since disappeared, and in 2003 attempts were made to excavate the former Strines Farm between the river and Brinnington.