Pictures of Audenshaw

About Audenshaw

Audenshaw is a suburb of Greater Manchester. It is probably best known for its reservoirs and the busy waters of the Ashton canal, beside which visitors can see clusters of delightful canal-side properties.

A trip on the canal gives views of some of Audenshaw's scenic places including its boat yard and China Bridge, the area once used to load boats with coal from the pits of the region. In 1882 the nearby Ashton Moss Colliery was the deepest in the world. The canal is a great place for leisure, boating is popular, the scenery is superb with views of the distant Pennines, and it also offers Tench, Perch, Bream and Roach to keen fishermen, with the occasional possibility of Eel and Trout.

In 1877 part of the original Audenshaw village was demolished to make way for three reservoirs. These were built by Manchester Corporation between 1877 and 1882. With the advancement of the motorways, one of the reservoirs was partly filled in during the 1990's to make way for the M6. Today, none are used, with the general public not normally admitted. However, it is possible to obtain a permit for leisure use.

Notable buildings in Audenshaw include handsome St.Stephen's Church at the corner of Audenshaw Road. This was built in 1846 in the Early English Style. Its impressive spire is a landmark which can be spotted from most parts of the district. The old church vicarage was built in 1889, in recent times this has been converted to a nursing home for the elderly.

Other buildings include Ye Old Blue Pig, a 300 year old pub located in a quiet cul-de-sac, and there are several attractive cottages from the 18th century. In Audenshaw Road visitors can see Priory Cottages, with a date stone over the doorway bearing the date 1792.

A number of famous people come from the area, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red was a former pupil of Audenshaw school and Frank Hampson creator of the cartoon character Dan Dare, was born in Audenshaw.

The local school's have produced excellent Rugby players, Eric Evans captained England in the 1930's and the O'Driscoll brothers who both played for Ireland in the 1970's. Later the younger brother John toured with the British Lions in South Africa and Newzealand during the 1970's and 1980's. Both brothers are doctors who practice in the area.

Ryecroft Hall is perhaps Audenshaw's most famous building, it was built on land sold by the Earl of Stamford and Warrington to the Buckley's, who owned the mills at Ryecroft. The family occupied the house until it was sold in 1913 to Austin Hopkinson, MP for Mossley and owner of Delta Engineering works. During World War I the house served as a hospital, and in 1922 Mr Hopkinson presented the house to the people of Audenshaw for use by the council. Today, the house, set in lovely grounds is used for community purposes and can be hired out for events and functions.