Stockport Hotels

History

Stockport's history comes to life with three sites worthy of your attention. Firstly, Staircase House in the heart of the town's historic market place is a medieval delight built in 1460. Within you'll find faithfully restored rooms with décor, furniture and fittings reflecting past centuries, from a bedroom with a 17th-century four poster bed to an 18th-century dining room. Hat Works is an award-winning visitor attraction dedicated to the fine craft of millinery. Located on the site of an early 19th-century cotton spinning mill which became a hat works in the 1890s, the museum has two floors of exhibits. You'll find 20 original working machines and more than 400 hats. Situated in the town centre is a fascinating relic of WWII. Constructed in 1939, the country's largest purpose-built civilian air raid shelters are ready for rediscovery. Enter the warren of subterranean tunnels that were carved into the sandstone cliffs and imagine being one of 6,500 people praying for the all-clear to be given.

Countryside

The River Goyt and the River Tame converge in Stockport to form the Mersey. You can follow the course of the Goyt by walking the Etherow-Goyt Valley Way, a 15-mile trail that ends in Longdendale on the western edge of the Peak District. Beginning in Stockport's Vernon Park, the path takes in the reservoir and woodland of Etherow Country Park before joining the River Etherow. From here you follow the river's course to Broadbottom where there is a steep climb which is rewarded with fantastic views of the countryside. The walk finishes at Bottoms Reservoir in Hadfield where you'll be confronted by the magnificent Peak District.

Entertainment

Relax and watch a movie in Art Deco splendour at the Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre. Opened in 1932, the theatre has been restored to its heyday peak and regularly shows classic movies, stand-up comedy, musical shows and plays.

Eating and drinking

You'll find a great selection of eateries in the town including a couple of American-style restaurants. CockaDoodleMoo, with its barbecue and burger dishes, and Elvis' Kitchen whose menus have a distinct 'King' theme to them, are popular haunts. For perhaps a more genteel, European alternative, Damsons is a stylish restaurant serving home-cooked meals using locally-sourced ingredients.

Shopping in Stockport

There are plenty of places to pick up essentials, gifts and the like in Stockport. The Merseyway Shopping Centre has over 60 shops as well as cafés and banks. Princes Street and Warren Street provide further shopping opportunities, as does the Peel Centre retail park. For quirkier products, Stockport Market has 50 independent businesses selling an array of goods.