Stockport travel guide

Stockport overview

Stockport is a borough in south-east Greater Manchester famous for being at the centre of the hat-making industry. Today it covers an area of 48-square miles - much of which is rural - and has a population of 292,000.

It has been the scene of human inhabitation since the Stone Age and a 240-million-year old red sandstone outcrop is now home to Stockport Market. Since then, the town's hat industry has produced the headgear for Indiana Jones and a notable football team.

Stockport offers visitors a little bit of everything. From countryside walks in woodlands and the nearby Peak District, to quaint strolls on cobbled streets and modern retail bliss in 21st century shopping centres, the choices are endless.

Furthermore, Stockport is twinned with Beziers in the south of France and Heillbronn in Germany and often hosts events to reflect its cultural affinity with these European partners.

Stockport location

Motorists can use the A6 to access Stockport via the M60, which is also known as the Manchester orbital motorway. For those arriving by plane initially, this is nine miles from Manchester International airport and takes around ten minutes to drive. The M56, M62 and M62 can also be accessed via the M60.

Visitors using public transport can use regular bus services throughout Stockport and the surrounding areas, while there are good rail links to Manchester and other major cities.

There are regular train services to all parts of Stockport and the surrounding areas.

International visitors can use nearby Manchester International Airport, which also operates a series of domestic routes throughout the UK.

Why Visit Stockport?

Stockport has a wide range of tourist attractions, including from historical monuments, such as the labyrinth-like Air Raid Shelters from World War Two and the Bramall Hall manor house, to more light-hearted destinations, including the Hat Works, which is the UK's only museum dedicated to the hatting industry, hats and headwear.

The town also has a variety of galleries for art-lovers to enjoy, including Stockport Art Gallery, while Stockport Story is a collection of artifacts that will take visitors on a journey of the past 10,000 years.

Meanwhile, fans of the great outdoors will be pleased to hear that over half of Stockport is made up of parks, trails and countryside spaces, giving guests the perfect opportunity to don their walking boots and explore.

And after a healthy dose of exercise, in the evening the Stockport Ale Trail awaits night owls, while the Market Place and Underbanks have a wide range of restaurants to be sampled.