Local History Tours & Talks
Our volunteers lead tours around Stockport on the following topics:
Old Town Stockport - 2 Hours
A walk around the historic Market, Underbanks and Lancashire Bridge area of the town with Jim Clare telling the colourful story of old Stockport.
For the following walks, please contact Kevin Dranfield on 0161 427 4006
Blue Plaque Trail - 2 Hours
Follow the popular Blue Plaque Trail with a Trust member who can show you where they are, and tell you more about these fascinating sites.
Marple Tramway and the Iron Bridge - 2 Hours
Walk the route of probably the oldest railway in the Borough of Stockport which closed in 1805. As an added bonus, the walk takes in the newly restored Iron Bridge built in 1815 in Brabyns Park.
Stockport Market Place - 1 Hour
At the very heart of Stockport, the Market Place has a fascinating history reflected in it's buildings. Join the Trust guide on this walk back in time.
Stockport's Historic Food and Drink - 90 Minutes
Take a walk into the past looking at the different shops and businesses which kept Stockport supplied with food and drink. Find out about the mustard maker, tripe dresser and others as well as our fishmonger still trading in the same shop for over 160 years.
Talks on the following are also available:
Old Town and St. Mary's - 1 Hour
An
account of how Stockport developed as a town, and the way the church of
St. Mary grew to serve the people of the area. Jim Clare describes how Richard de
Vernon built the first stone church in Stockport in 1306, part of which
still stands to this day.
For the following talks, please contact Kevin Dranfield on 0161 427 4006
Underground Stockport - 1 HourOur most frequently requested talk on the water tunnels that powered the early mills in the town. Tales of Victorian skulduggery, riots and the Riot Act are all part of the tale
Blue Plaque Virtual Trail - 1 Hour Complements the walk, but allows those less mobile or energetic to enjoy the experience of hunting for the famous Blue Plaques in the town centre.
Stockport Castle - 1 Hour
The fascinating
story of Stockport's little known castle. A history spanning possibly
over 2,500 years from the Iron Age to the 21st Century.
Stockport Viaduct - 1 Hour
The famous landmark that towers across Stockport has it's own special story to tell. Using 11 million bricks to build it is just one of the fascinating facts about this structure.
Marple 'Fly' Boat - 45 Minutes
The remarkable period of time when Marple was connected to the outside world by the 'Harlequin', a passenger packet boat on the Peak Forest Canal.
Goyt Valley Miner - 1 Hour The surprising story of the private mine of Errwood Hall in the beautiful Goyt Valley.The talk focuses on the lives of five generations of the Hewitt family who worked in the mines.
Marple Tramway - 30 Minutes
A brief talk about the short lived railway in Marple that only lasted five years, but allowed the Peak Forest Canal to open to traffic.
Virtual Historic Food and Drink Trail - 1 Hour
A virtual walk round the old town of Stockport, talking about the fascinating way our ancestors sold, made or bought their food and drink.
Wellington Road Talk - 1 Hour
Do
not let the title put you off! Wellington Road, possibly the first
urban 'by-pass' in Britain has an amazing story to tell. Listen to
stories of mail coaches, horse trams and tragedies witnessed by this
road through Stockport.
Virtual Old Town Walk - 1 Hour
A virtual walk around the old town of Stockport, talking about the buildings, people and events which have given Stockport its rich history.
Stockport Workhouse - 1 HourA look at the way the treatment of paupers and vagrants developed over the years, and how the Poor Union was formed by all the parishes in the Borough working together. This union went on to build the Union Workhouse on Shaw Heath.
Anyone who is interested please contact Kevin Dranfield on 0161 427 4006