Marple (England)

Marple, in the Borough of Stockport, has a population of around 23,000 and stands above the valley of the River Goyt. The junction of the Peak Forest Canal and the Macclesfield Canal is within the town's boundaries.

By train

Marple has two railway stations:

• MarpleHalf-hourly trains from Manchester Piccadilly (21 min), New Mills Central (8 min) and less frequently from Sheffield (1 hr)

• Rose Hill MarpleHalf-hourly trains from Manchester Piccadilly (29 min); useful for the Middlewood Way

By bus

• Stagecoach 358: Stockport–Marple–New Mills–Hayfield/Glossop, hourly (Timetable)
• Stagecoach 383: Stockport–Offerton–Marple–Bredbury–Stockport, every 15–30 minutes (Timetable)
• Stagecoach 384: Stockport–Bredbury–Marple–Offerton–Stockport, every 15–30 minutes (Timetable)

By car

On A626 Stockport–Glossop road; from M60 Junction 7 follow A6 south (signposted Buxton) then A626 (signposted Marple). Various pay-and-display car parks (30p per 2 hours, £1.50 per day). There is free parking at Co-operative store.

• Brabyn's Park

  address: Brabyn's Brow
  The former estate of Brabyn's Hall, featuring riverside walks, a dog's graveyard and a BMX/mountain bike track.

• Marple Aqueduct (Peak Forest Canal)Passing part of the Marple Flight, a flight of 16 locks, a pleasant and undemanding one-mile walk along the Peak Forest Canal towpath leads to the impressive aqueduct (built 1794–1800) over the River Goyt; return via Brabyn's Park/River Goyt by way of variation.

• Fishing at Roman Lakes

  address: Lakes Rd, off Arkwright Rd
  Angling, birdwatching, mountain-biking, canoeing by arrangement. Pleasant riverside walks in area.

• Middlewood Way

  address: Railway St
  11-mile former railway track converted for walkers, cyclists and horse riders; leads via Higher Poynton (for Lyme Park) and Bollington to Macclesfield. Return possible via Macclesfield Canal towpath.

The main shopping street is the pedestrianised Market Street, with a good range of independent shops plus a few of the usual chain stores.

• All Things Nice

  phone: +44 161 427-2222
  address: 48–50 Market St
  Excellent reasonably priced, home-made hot and cold food, coffee, good friendly service, interesting deli.

• Ring O' Bells

  address: 130 Church Lane
  Traditional Robinson's pub with friendly young staff, snug rooms around the bar and good reasonably priced food. Canalside garden, live music and an active connection with local brass bands. Bed and breakfast available.

• Rock Tavern

  phone: +44 1457 899354
  address: Glossop Road, Marple Bridge

• Oakfield Lodge

  address: 38 Arkwright Road

• Stockport
• New Mills
• Whaley Bridge
• Buxton
• Glossop