Discovering Marple Bridge and the surrounding area

With its bustling town centre and well-established college, Marple has certainly proved a popular draw for all sorts of people, and for much longer than might be expected. The earliest known inhabitants are thought to be Celtic Brigantes from Europe whose remains may have been buried beneath the tumuli at Ludworth, while a ring of stones nearby suggests Druid activity during the Bronze Age. Romans may have dwelt here too, as recent evidence has come to light of a Roman garrison where an Iron Age Fort used to be.

Marple was first mentioned in a deed dated 1122 when a piece of land changed hands then, 84 years later the district was bestowed by the Earl of Chester upon Robert de Stokeport for services to Macclesfield Forest, the Earl’s favourite hunting ground. In turn, Robert gave the land to his sister Margery when she married William Vernon and it remained with the Vernon family until the 1500s.

Until the late 18th century, Marple was purely agricultural but dramatic changes came to the area when the entrepreneurial Samuel Oldknow settled here in the 1790s. Samuel’s activities were many and varied; he built a mill by River Goyt, houses for his workers, roads, coal mines and the Lime Kilns. He also helped create the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals and planted many luxurious trees in the neighbourhood, particularly Aspens which provided tannin for his leather industry. Like many successful men of his day, Samuel felt responsible for the welfare of his employees and devised the ‘Trucking System’ – payslips that could only be exchanged at The Shop in Stone Row – thus ensuring that nobody’s wages would be wasted on vices.

During the 19th century, a booming cotton industry, the new canal system and Samuel Oldknow helped Marple to become a flourishing industrial centre for many years. Now, however, Marple is a dormitory town from which many residents commute.

The Roman Lakes

Spread over 10 acres, the lakes, backwaters and islands of this delightful leisure park have provided many hours of pleasure for 100 years almost. Parking is free and there are lots of fun activities for all ages. If angling is your bag, you can fish for carp, pike, bream, perch, roach and tench in the south lake – providing you first obtain a permit from the Lakeside Cafe. You can also buy tackle and bait from the specialist angling shop.

Bird watchers have over 50 species to admire, including kingfishers, dippers, kestrels, grey herons, owls, finches, woodpeckers….and a gaggle of friendly white geese who are constantly alert to generous picnickers!

For people who like action, qualified instructors are available toteach canoeing on the smaller north lake where the still water is perfect for learning and taster sessions. Meanwhile, footpaths and mountain bike trails meander through idyllic scenery up into the hills, while nature lovers take their time, enjoying the tranquillity and rambling through the delightful wooded valley.

Peak Forest Canal

Designed by Benjamin Outram (who also invented the tram car), the Marple stretch of Peak Forest Canal is carried by an aqueduct 100ft above the river and is undoubtedly the highest man-made waterway in England. Samuel Oldknow also commissioned Possett Bridge which was named after the building team’s favourite breakfast – ale possetts. Canals were essential to the cotton industry during the 19th century, bringing in raw materials from Liverpool and Manchester and distributing the finished products to customers. By the time the railway came to Marple, however, the canals had virtually fallen into disuse and it took another century before they were revitalised. Nowadays, narrowboat cruises are strictly for pleasure, and, with new links along the way, this waterway system can carry you as far as London or Llangollen in Wales.