Halls Route 2022 represented the latest edition of one of our classic Stockport Community Cycling Club rides. Andy S had revised the ride. He led the first of the two club rides. Sarah led this second ride and I was the back leader.

Starting from outside CERACycloan, we made our way down to St Mary’s Way.

Then headed over to Woodbank Park.

After Woodbank Park, we joined NCN Route 55 for a short while.

This brought us to the first of our official halls, Bredbury Hall. The Hall was built in the 16th century and occupied by part of the Davenport family. It was also owned by the infamous Flood family in the 1970s. As a hotel, it was recently brought out of receivership and the subject of a £1 million renovation.

A little further on, next on our list was Goyt Hall. Although unknown when it was built, it was rebuilt around 1570 by Randall Davenport. It has undergone significant alterations to form the Hall it is today.

Continuing on, we now headed towards Offerton.

This brought a short sharp climb towards the end of Bongs Road as we headed for Marple Road.

Following a little breather, we moved on to view Offerton Hall. Another one we don’t know when it was built, though the land was originally owned by the Offerton family from the 12th century. It has since passed through various hands over the years.

After leaving Offerton, we worked our way through Hazel Grove.

And on towards Bramhall.

Where, of course, we cycled past Bramhall Hall. The Hall was built before 1478 for the Davenport family. It eventually came into the hands of John Henry Davies. His widow sold it to the local authority in 1935. They still own it and have restored it over the years.

Next, we continued to cycle through Bramhall. Followed Cheadle Hulme.

We were on our way to Bruntwood Hall. We also stopped for a short break in Bruntwood Park.

Bruntwood Hall was built in 1861 by John Douglas, a merchant from Bradford. It has been through many hands but now operates as a boutique hotel and restaurant.

Cheadle was our next village.

Here we passed a succession of Halls. Starting with Cheadle Hall. This was built in 1756 by Rev. Thomas Egerton after he bought the Manor of Cheadle Bulkeley. It was bought by James Watts in 1876 and his son was married to the older sister of Agatha Christie. It was demolished in 1958.

Then Moseley Old Hall. It was built in 1666, it is Grade II-listed. Sadly it is currently in a state of disrepair.

And finally Abney Hall. This was built in 1857 for Stockport’s Mayor, Alfred Orell, who died before it was completed. James Watts then bought it. In 1958 Cheadle & Gatley UDC bought it and it became Cheadle Town Hall. Stockport MBC took over in 1974 and eventually sold it to Bruntwood Group Ltd. Abney Hall had many famous visitors, including Benjamin Disraeli, King Edward Vll, William Gladstone (1862), Prince Albert (1857), and Agatha Christie. It is now a care home.

The last section of our journey was back towards Stockport town centre via the River Mersey.

Of course, in doing so, we passed the Town Hall (just out of the picture on the left)!

This is always a fascinating ride exploring many of Stockport’s old halls. Today had been no exception. It had been another route with something for everyone to enjoy.

You can view our Halls Route 2022 below: