Historically part of Cheshire County, Stockport is located on the elevated ground near the River Mersey where the rivers Goyt and Tame converge. It is the largest settlement of the Stockport Borough. Originally known for cultivating hemp and rope manufacturing, Stockport grew to become the center for the counties hatting industry by the end of the 19th century.
There are many interesting areas to visit when staying Stockport, one such stop is the Underbank Hall. This 16th century timber frame building was originally built to be used as a town house. In 1824, however, the building went from being a townhouse to being a bank. The hall that is used as the current bank is just behind this historic building and it dates back to 1915.
A curiosity that many visitors enjoy seeing is The Pyramid. Located beside the M60 at junction1, this interesting structure is either loved or hated by those who see it. Built with a steel frame and blue and clear glass panels the building was originally intended to be a signature building for a commercial development in 1987. It was constructed from 1990 to 1992 before the developers left the building. While it is not open to the public, visitors still like to come by and look at this interesting building.
Another interesting building is the Stair Case House. This medieval townhouse is located in the market place and is possibly the oldest secular building in Stockport. Today the Staircase House houses the Stockport Story Museum which details the history of Stockport which spans some 10,000 years.
An architectural marvel, the Stockport Viaduct is one of the biggest brick structures in Western Europe. At over 111 feet high the structure has 11,000,000 bricks and cost over £70,000 to construct. It is a marvel of Victorian engineering taking 21 months to build. Visitors can enjoy a unique view of this structure by taking one of the passenger trains that run on the main railway line that crosses the viaduct.
If you are interested in the unique industry that Stockport was once known for then head over to the Hat Works. This museum is the only museum in the United Kingdom dedicated to headwear. It is housed in a restored Victorian Mill that was once used in the hatting industry. This interesting museum focuses on the history of hatting, for its beginnings in the cottage industry all the way to the mass production lines that came about in the early 19th century. There are even demonstrations of working machinery as well as an extensive collection of hats. There is also an audio-visual show that will educate you on all you want to know about hats.
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