Marple is very much the epitome of where Greater Manchester meets the old-world vibes of the Cheshire countryside in what is, for our money, one of the most idyllic vistas anywhere in the region.
While many Mancs may have never ventured out to the reaches of this Stockport town and its adjacent villages before, Marple is not only home to roughly 13,000 locals but it’s also a regular haunt for walkers, canal enthusiasts and plenty of people just yearning for a little taste of the countryside.
One feature of the town that plays no small part in the influx of tourists and other residents from in and around Manchester is the famous Marple Aqueduct, sometimes known as ‘The Grand Aqueduct’ — and for good reason, as it’s the biggest canal aqueduct anywhere in England.
You might think you have seen many like it in various rural towns over the years but believe us, this is one of those things that you have to see in person to truly appreciate it.
Credit: The Manc Group
Built all the way back in 1794, Marple Aqueduct measures 800 feet long, over 100 feet tall and its central-most point and contains approximately 8,000 cubic yards of red sandstone and white stone from Chapel Milton near Glossop.
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It took seven years to build this incredible piece of masonry and functioning aqueduct — a life sadly lost for each year of construction — and it goes without saying that erecting a structure of this size in an era with much cruder tools and when health and safety weren’t exactly at the forefront of people’s minds.
The men that built that this thing literally put their lives on the line to try and ‘impress the engineering world’, put Marple on the map and carve their own little slice of history.
One of those people was civil engineer Benjamin Outram, the man who was responsible for many of the North West’s famous waterways, including the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, Ashton and Maccsefield canals and even as far as the Huddersfield Narrow.
In the instance of the Grand Aqueduct, he designed to carry the Peak Forest Canal above the River Goyt which runs for around 15 miles from Dukinfield Junction along the Ashton Canal to the canal’s terminus at Bugsworth Basin.
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It had to undergo some repairs down the years, especially after the long winter of 1961 (the year before the so-called ‘Big Freeze’), with significant chunks of stonework falling into the Goyt which cost the local council and British Waterways £350,000 in today’s money to replace them.
Beyond taking in the marvel that is Marple Aqueduct itself, the reason this site is so popular when it comes to Greater Manchester walks, bike rides, picnics and so on is that you can walk the entire length of Marple Canal Flight, which consists of 16 locks and is one the steepest in the UK.
With plenty of nearby parking, the train station literally a stone’s throw from locks seven and eight, not to mention Lock 16 literally on the doorstep of Marple town centre (the Grand Aqueduct sitting at the other end), you can hop on plenty of points along the canal depending on how long a walk you fancy.
Marple and Stockport at large might have been part of Greater Manchester for nearly half a century now, but for those of you who enjoy scenic walks or simply swant to immerse yourselves in the local heritage and old Cheshire roots, there aren’t many better places to start than this.
You can see our recent Short Stuff episode on Marple’s Grand Aqueduct down below:
Based on the highly successful film of the same name, seen by more than 12 million people across five continents, and the recipient of over 80 awards internationally – including 10 Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards – Billy Elliot The Musical is heading back out on tour this year, and making its long-awaited return to one of Manchester‘s most legendary stages.
If you’re unfamiliar with the musical, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
Billy Elliot The Musical is returning to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
Since its debut on stage all the way back in 2006, the show has been massively acclaimed by audiences and critics alike – with 125 boys having now played the iconic title role on stage worldwide.
The upcoming Manchester production will be brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling, and of course, they’ll be joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score.
“Creating Billy Elliot the Musical was one of the most joyous and inspiring moments of our careers, so to bring the show back for a UK tour and a season in the West End for the first time in over a decade is both incredibly emotional and exciting,” commented Elton John and Stephen Daldry.
Tickets officially go on sale early next month / Credit: Supplied
“It’s bold, it’s British, it’s full of heart and the story feels more relevant than ever. We can’t wait for a whole new generation to experience it.”
Billy Elliot The Musical is taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 2 December 2026 through to 9 January 2027, before it does a run in the West End shortly after, and tickets officially go on sale in early March.
Tickets go on sale to ATG+ members on Thursday 5 March at 10am, and general on sale begins on Monday 9 March at 10am here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Things To Do
Manchester’s popular board game festival returns this month with hundreds of games to play
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s popular board came festival is set to return later this month, with hundreds of games free to play.
Manchester Board Game Festival is set to kick off 2026 in style, returning for the first festival of the year with a full weekend of board games, role-playing games, indie traders, and community-led fun in the heart of the city.
The festival features a huge board game library, giving fans access to hundreds of games to try out across the weekend – with ‘Library Bees’ on-hand to help people find games, learn the rules, or jump into sessions with other players.
There’ll also be bookable sessions, like RPGs and Blood on The Clocktower, and seminars to take part in over the three-day event.
Manchester’s popular board game festival returns this month with hundreds of games to play / Credit: MBGF (via Facebook)
As well as gaming, visitors can browse the festival’s popular Geek Fayre too, open on the Saturday and Sunday of the event, which showcases indie traders, artists, and tabletop creators from across the UK. From games and accessories, to artwork and geeky gifts, it’s a chance to support small businesses all while discovering something new.
Running from Friday 27 February through to Sunday 1 March, this opening weekend festival marks the start of five events planned throughout 2026.
Events are designed to bring together players of all experience levels for three days of tabletop gaming and social play.
“There’s something really special about the first festival of the year,” commented festival organiser, James Oxley.
“People are excited, they’re ready to play, and there’s a real buzz in the room. Manchester Board Game Festival has always been about bringing people together through games, and we can’t wait to see everyone back in the halls enjoying themselves.
“Whether attendees come for a single afternoon or the full weekend, the focus is on playing at your own pace, meeting new people, and enjoying games in a relaxed and friendly setting.”
Further festivals will follow throughout 2026, including themed Halloween and Christmas editions later in the year, so keep your eyes peeled, but until then, February’s event marks the first chance for players to roll some dice, discover new favourites, and start the year with a table full of games.
Manchester Board Game Festival takes place from Friday 27 February through to Sunday 1 March at Sachas Hotel in the Northern Quarter, with tickets starting from just £13.
Danny Jones -
11th May 2023 
