As I continue my post-op hip recovery, I had planned a hilly and fairly challenging route. However, after looking at the inclement and changeable weather we decided a more straightforward short cycle ride around Stockport would be wise. This proved to be a good choice.

So, after leaving Great Moor, we made our way along Lowndes Lane and past the Puss-in-Boots.

A little further on we cycled through St Thomas Recreation ground. This park was opened in 1892 on land given to Stockport municipal authorities by Mssrs Sykes (owners of the nearby bleachworks).

Leaving the Rec, we then crossed over St Mary’s Way and climbed up Shawcross Street, past the Star and Garter and into Hillgate. This was the main route between London to Manchester to Carlisle until the early 1800s.

Towards the centre of town, we cycled past the administrative buildings of Stockport Council, my employers.

A brief stop was required.

Across the road stands Stockport Magistrates Court … Sarah was anxious to move on quickly for some reason!

Next, we dropped down into St Petersgate.

This route and the bridge that was erected in 1864 provided easy access to the market place from the west of Stockport.

However, we didn’t enter the market place. Instead, we cycled up High Street and back towards Hillgate.

Crossing into Wellington Street, a place once steeped in mills and passed Robinsons Brewery. At the top end of Wellington Street is the Old Rectory. The building served the town’s clergy between 1744 and 1965.

Our next place of interest was Woodbank Memorial Park. The land was originally bought by Peter Marsland around 1812 and he had a hall built on the grounds. Later there were sold to Sir Thomas Rowbotham. He gifted the park and many of the buildings to Stockport as a memorial following World War 1.

From the park, we next weaved our way through Offerton, including through the old Offerton High school grounds.

Next we dropped into the Offerton Estate valley.

From Offerton, we then made our way through  Hazel Grove.

Our route took us up Torkington Old Road.

Then into Threaphurst Lane.

Continuing to cycle towards the outskirts of Stockport we joined Buxton Road and entered High Lane.

Here we turned off the main road and followed the Macclesfield Canal for a little while.

At one point it seemed our route along the canal was going to be brief …

Thankfully, we were able to get our bikes over the fallen tree.

Macclesfield Canal was one of the last canals to be built when it was opened in 1831. It connects the Peak Forest Canal at Marple and the Trent & Mersey Canal at Kidsgrove. In its day it reduced the distance to Manchester by about 25 miles.

We weren’t cycling its full 27-mile length, just a few miles of it, and left at Nelson Pit, Poynton. There’s a sculpture here to the former coal mine that operated here around the 1830s and gave this place its name.

While in Poynton, for a little while, we had left the borough of Stockport and were now cycling along some Cheshire lanes.

Eventually, we joined the A555, or more commonly known as the Airport Bypass. This is a recent addition built to take traffic away from the Stockport roads when on their way to another industrial place – Manchester Airport.

We weren’t on the bypass road for long, before turning off and making our way towards Bramhall village, a suburb of Stockport.

After Bramhall we reached Woodsmoor.

Finally, we passed the Stockport Grammar School. Founded in 1487, it is the second oldest in the north of England. Across the road to it is Stockport School. A more recent introduction to the town, established in 1888, it has plenty of history of its own. It was established to meet the needs of the growing technical demands of the local industries.

We had cycled just over 20 miles. Taking the time out to explore a little bit of history had helped make this an interesting route. From a cycling viewpoint, there had been strong winds on some sections, and it had been cold. We were glad, however, that we had made the effort.

You can view our Exploring Stockport route below: