Towns & Villages

Bollington’s strong historical links with the cotton industry are vividly depicted by Adelphi and Clarence Mills which lie on the banks of the Macclesfield Canal.

Disley, which stands in the Goyt Valley, is of ancient foundation tracing back to a clearing in the large area of Macclesfield Forest. Greatly enlarged in recent years, Disley is now an attractive residential area.

Handforth’s development started after 1842 when the railway was constructed and until 1890 it was still a tiny hamlet. In recent years it has developed rapidly as a residential area.

Knutsford has many specialist shops, fine buildings and high quality restaurants. It has literary connections through the author Elizabeth Gaskell and includes a number of large open spaces close to the centre, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Useful websites:
Knutsford Town Council
Knutsford’s Community Web Site - Virtual Knutsford.

Macclesfield, originally the home of the silk industry, has grown to be an important centre with good cultural and entertainment facilities. It is estimated to be among the 30 wealthiest towns in the country. You may wish to visit Macclesfield’s Community Web Site - Macclesfield Community On-Line. See more details about Macclesfield.

Poynton, in the north-east of the Borough, is now largely an urban parish. Its history is that of a small mining village associated with coal seams running through the Pennine foothills to the east.  You may wish to visit Poynton’s community Web Site Poynton on the web

Prestbury, situated on the River Bollin, is a long and narrow parish that extends along the Bollin Valley towards Wilmslow. The village centre is still largely unaffected by the modern residential developments and it retains a number of older inns, houses and shops.

Pott Shrigley
Visit the Pott Shrigley Parish Council website

Rainow is the Borough’s most popular hill village. Just three miles from the town centre, the village’s magnificent scenery and miles of well-marked footpaths make it a huge attraction for those who wish to enjoy the very best of East Cheshire’s countryside. Click here for Rainow Parish Council

Wilmslow was originally a stagecoach stop between London and Manchester, its growth as a residential town - being a dormitory for Manchester business people - has benefited from the Intercity rail link between Manchester and London. Click here for the Wilmslow website.

Wincle is one of the Borough’s most picturesque villages. Sitting on the River Dane which separates Cheshire from Staffordshire and geographically centred around the attractive St Michael’s Church and adjacent village school.  Wincle has spectacular moorland views across to the Roaches, Shutlingsloe and Hanging Stone as well as lush woodland and drystone-walled pasture land. With such rich scenery and  well known pubs for eating and drinking, Wincle is a favorite place for walkers and other visitors to the Borough. Visit the Parish Council web site.

  If you require a place to stay in the borough please search through our accommodation section.