Woodbank Park Stockport

Woodbank Park, Stockport

Stockport Harriers | History | Woodbank Hall | Access

Woodbank Park (Woodbank Memorial Park), next to Vernon Park in Stockport is a huge expanse of land (90 acres) popular with dog walkers, joggers, cricketers, pick-up footballers and strolling families.

Cricket game in the summer

The park, known for its thousands of bluebells, is home to Stockport Harriers Athletics Club and also includes a local nature reserve with oak, birch, ash, and alder trees, two cricket pitches, and seven soccer fields. In addition, there is an orchard, a children’s play area, and (often muddy) paths down to the nearby River Goyt.

A number of plants thrive in the park. These include birdsfoot trefoil, bluebell, foxglove, primrose, ragged robin, red campion, wood stitchwort and wild garlic.

The River Goyt runs through the park

Stockport Harriers

Stockport Harriers Athletics Club’s facilities include a floodlit, six-lane lane athletics track with an eight-lane home straight, as well as a clubhouse with changing room which is also available for hire.

The huge park is also used for orienteering events.

Bredbury St Mark’s cricket club off Dark Lane near Bredbury Hall

History

Sir Thomas Rowbotham, previously Mayor of Stockport, presented the land which is now the park to the town in honour of the many local men (1,700 in total) who died in World War I (1914-1918). Their stories of early death and tragic sacrifice can be read in the windows of Woodbank Hall.

In addition, there are numerous memorials to these events throughout the park. These take the form of tree carvings and other motifs of remembrance.

Entrance to the park on Turncroft Lane

Historic Woodbank Hall

Woodbank Hall stands within Woodbank Park. Woodbank Hall was the home of local industrialist Peter Marsland before being donated to Stockport Borough in 1921.

The firm of Peter Marsland owned nearby Kingston Mill, which was a large cotton-spinning factory. Peter Marsland was the son of Henry Marsland known as “the father of the cotton industry in Stockport.”

Peter continued his father’s mill and also his love of new technology. He added gas lighting in 1809 to his factory. Marsland moved to his mansion in 1814 after his home in the centre of Stockport was attacked by Luddites.

Woodbank Hall

Access – Getting There

Woodbank Park
Turncroft Lane
Offerton
Stockport
SK1 4RG
Map of Stockport & North West England

The circular 364 bus between Stockport and Heaton Moor stops outside Woodbank Park on Turncroft Lane. Two pubs not far distant from the park are the Strawberry Gardens and The Finger Post.