Marple: Industrial Heritage, Parks and Routes

Marple offers a variety of ways to spend your stay: historic structures, walks, cycling and parks. If you’re looking for a hotel in Marple, you could start by considering whether you’re mainly interested in exploring industrial heritage, following a particular route or spending time in the parks.

Aqueducts and canal history

Marple Aqueduct is a stone aqueduct associated with Benjamin Outram. A railway viaduct runs parallel to it at a slightly higher level. Goyt Aqueduct is a separate structure.

The Peak Forest Canal adds to this picture of transport history. Built in 1794, it was used to transport limestone from the quarries of Derbyshire. At Goyt Aqueduct, the focus is on its architectural dimensions: it has three wide spans and is almost 30 metres high.

Bridges, memorials and parks

Brabyns Park is bordered by the River Goyt and the Peak Forest Canal. The park is home to the Georgian Iron Bridge, built in 1813 and restored in 2012. The two dates distinguish its original construction from a later restoration. The bridge, with its own history, adds to the waterways and railway structures.

A different architectural detail can be seen at the Marple War Memorial: an allegorical female figure presses a cross to her chest. She stands on a square, serrated plinth made of polished granite.

Marple Memorial Park has, among other things, a skate park and play areas. A wildlife area also runs along the boundary with the canal, where native wildflowers, insects and small mammals can thrive.

A walk or a cycling route?

A walk starting at Marple Station follows the Peak Forest Canal for part of the way, crosses Marple Aqueduct twice and offers views over the Goyt Valley. This route combines a stretch of canal, two crossings of the aqueduct and views across the valley. Check the terrain and access before setting out, as recommended for this route.

The Middlewood Way is suitable for easy, scenic cycling and is part of Route 55 of the National Cycle Network. It can also be used by horse riders: the specified section runs from Bollington Viaduct on Adlington Road to Rose Hill in Marple and is 11 kilometres long. Path conditions may vary, so check in advance.

The two routes have different focuses: the walk starting at Marple Station centres on the Peak Forest Canal, crossing Marple Aqueduct twice and views over the Goyt Valley. Cycling and horse riding are the activities mentioned for the Middlewood Way; the section described is also given a length. You can choose according to whether you prefer the specific walking route or the option of using a cycling and horse-riding route.

Discover more destinations

Stalybridge, Heald Green, Uppermill, Golborne, Bury, Dobcross, Dukinfield, Kearsley

For the main travel overview: Greater Manchester.