Home >
United Kingdom >
Car Hire in Stockport
Stockport
The original settlement at Stockport came under the rule of the Romans in the AD 70s when a military station was created on Castle Hill, site of the present market place. However, it was only with the Royal Market Charter in 1260 that Stockport's future was secured. The 700-year-old market is still held three times a week, offering a wide selection of products and goods. The Market Hall was built in 1851, and nine years later a cast iron and glass cover was placed over the market: this cover was affectionately called the "glass umbrella". St Petersgate Bridge was constructed in 1868, allowing better access from the west of the town to the station at Edgeley. Stockport Viaduct, built in just a year and using an estimated 11 million bricks, consisted of 26 arches until it was widened in the late 19th century due to the increase in rail traffic. Stockport Town Hall has a limestone facade and colonnaded clock-tower, giving it the nickname "the wedding cake". It was officially opened by the then Prince and Princess of Wales in July 1908. Today, Stockport is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the North West of England, attracting more than a quarter of a million shoppers every week. The town has a wide selection of restaurants and traditional pubs, many of which sell the locally-produced Robinsons beer. With its own airport and superb communications network, Stockport is also a good place for visiting the major city of Manchester and other nearby attractions.