Stockport Walks
The town of Stockport is located to the south of Manchester. There's some nice riverside trails along the rivers that run through the town. There's also some good local parks with surfaced footpaths to try.
This walk takes you west from the town along the River Mersey to East Didsbury where you can visit the lovely botanic gardens at Fletcher Moss Park. The walk starts in the town centre next to the bus station where you can pick up the Trans Pennine Trail. Follow the waymarked trail west and it will soon bring you to the River Mersey where you can pick up a footpath running alongside the river. Continue west and the path will take you to Cheadle Bridge and East Didsbury passing a riverside farm and the Mersey Vale Nature Park on the way. There's some interesting flora and fauna here and a picturesque spot by the rushing weir.
At the Didsbury golf club you leave the river. Head north and it will take you to Fletcher Moss Park where there is a botanic garden with a fine display of flowers and a little waterfall. Also near here is Parsonage gardens where you will find several large yew trees and pretty flower beds. After exploring the gardens you can return to Stockport on the same paths or catch the train/bus back from East Didsbury.
Stockport Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Stockport Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Stockport OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Stockport Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Stockport
- Vernon and Woodbank Park - These two parks sit side by side near Stockport town centre
- Fletcher Moss Park - Fletcher Moss is a beautiful botanical garden located in Didsbury, Manchester
- Wythenshawe Park - Enjoy walking and cycling in this large park in Manchester
- Midshires Way - This route follows public bridleways and quiet country lanes through Middle England, from Bledlow, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, to Stockport in Greater Manchester
- Chorlton Water Park - Enjoy a walk or cycle around this large lake and nature reserve in Manchester
- Reddish Vale Country Park - This 400 acre park lies just a couple of miles north of Stockport in the Tame Valley
- Etherow Country Park - Enjoy a stroll along the River Etherow and around the large reservoir in this pretty country park near Marple and Stockport
- Macclesfield to Marple - Middlewood Way - Follow the Middlewood Way - a lovely off road cycle and walking path running from Macclesfield to Marple and passing by the Macclesfield Canal.
- Tame Valley Way - Follow the River Tame through Greater Manchester from Stockport to Denshaw on this waterside walk
- Mellor - This circular walk takes you up to the Mellor Cross on Mellor Moor in Greater Manchester.
- Chadkirk Country Estate - This pretty country park is located on the River Goyt near Marple
- Highfield Country Park - This 70 acre park is also a local nature reserve with a number of country walks and a cycle track
- Romiley - This village in Greater Manchester has some nice local parks and a canal to explore on foot.
- Marple Bridge - This pretty village in Greater Manchester has some nice river and canalside trails to try
- Rowarth - This delightful little hamlet is located in the High Peak area of Derbyshire, near New Mills and Marple Bridge.
Pubs/Cafes
The Arden Arms is a good choice for some post walk refreshments in Stockport. The 200 year old pub has a fine selection of ales and is one of CAMRA’s most listed pubs. They have a cosy interior with real fires and good home cooked food. Outside there's a good sized garden area if the weather is fine. It's located in a nice spot next to the marketplace at postcode SK1 2LX for your sat navs.
At the end of the route Ye Olde Cock Inn and the Didsbury pub are located next to Fletcher Moss park. They both have a good menu and outdoor seating for finer weather.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head east from the town centre and you can visit the pretty Vernon and Woodbank Park. There's nice trails here taking you around the parkland and gardens with views towards the Peak District hills from the high points. You can also pick up the Midshires Way here and enjoy a riverside stroll along the River Goyt.
If you continue west along the river then you could visit Wythenshawe Park where there's an old hall and a community farm.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Greater Manchester Walks page.
Photos
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The Plaza, Stockport. A wonderful art deco cinema in the town centre.
Source of the River Mersey in Stockport. The River Mersey flowing past the Bus Station and a new office block towards the Stockport Viaduct.
Trans Pennine Trail. Footpath alongside the River Mersey and the Acorn Business Centre, part of the Trans Pennine Trail.
River Mersey. Looking downstream from close to King's Valley, Stockport, not far from where the Rivers Tame and Goyt joined to form the Mersey near Stockport town centre
Weir on the River Mersey. Looking up stream by the site of a former Bleach Works, now a business park. Heaton Mersey
River Mersey near Parrs Wood. This man made section of the River Mersey is constricted between levees to stop the annual flooding on this floodplain.
The Old Parsonage, Didsbury. The former home of Alderman Fletcher Moss who gave this building and surrounding land to the City of Manchester in 1914.
Fletcher Moss Gardens. A view of the gardens looking towards the tennis courts.