Alderley Edge Tourist Information

Alderley Edge, lying 15 miles due south of Manchester, takes its name from the dramatic wooded escarpment that towers above the Cheshire Plain.

Nestling at the foot of the escarpment, the village grew up after the Manchester and Birmingham Railway Company opened a station in 1842 (then known as 'Chorley for Alderley Edge').

Incentives were provided to encourage the  constructon of large houses and Alderley Edge soon became associated with affluence when wealthy cotton barons erected their homes on the slopes leading up to the escarpment.  The less affluent built their homes in the village.

Recently many luxury appartments have been built in the village and, along with many specialist food shops, Alderley Edge also now boasts designer shops and chic restaurants.

Alderley Edge's famous residents have included Alan Turing, the World War II code breaker, and Alan Garner, author of 'The 'Weirdstone of Brisingamen' and 'The Moon of Gomrath'.

Currently the village has the largest number of millionaires per square mile in the country and is home to premier league footballers, such as Andy Cole and Rio Ferdinand, and stars of Coronation Street.

Even if you are not rich visitors can still "be seen" in one of the many cafes and restaurants here.

The dramatic red sandstone escarpment of Alderley Edge, now in the care of the National Trust, is riddled with old copper mine workings.

Copper was extracted here from the Bronze Age up to the 19th century and the ridge has now been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its unique geology.

From the 600 ft escarpment there are magnificent views over the Cheshire Plain towards the Peak District.  There are also beautiful walks through the oak and beech woodlands.