4. Travel back in time in the Staircase House
The historical theme continues with a visit to the Staircase House, a rare opportunity to explore the history of a single building from 1460 to World War II. And unlike other exhibits, here you’re invited to smell, touch, hear, and relive the narrative of this structure, from pulling back the linens on the four-poster bed to attempting 17th-century quill writing. Connected by narrow corridors and a beautifully restored Jacobean cage staircase, this is a tour of the history of our island as it unfolds through a house.
Website: visitmanchester.com
Strawberry studiosblickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo
5. Visit the Strawberry Studios
Not everything has to kill several hours, sometimes it is the quiet moments of reflection, the opportunity to cultivate nostalgia that are really worth a visit. This is also the case at Strawberry Studios, named after the Beatles song Strawberry Fields Forever, the building is still a real piece of history for music lovers. Paul McCartney, Neil Sedaka, Joy Division, the Smiths, and the Stone Roses all recorded here. Known as the iconic Strawberry Recording Studios between 1967 and 1993, the facade now houses offices inside, but that hasn’t stopped fans of the bands who played hits here from making the pilgrimage to snap photos and explore the surrounding streets .
6. Visit the Old Court House & Dungeons
It’s open every second Saturday of the month and well worth planning your visit to Stockport with public access to the Old Court House and dungeons. Court Leet was held here from the 15th to the late 18th centuries and prisoners were held in the dungeon waiting to be sentenced or transferred to Chester or Lancaster Assizes. In addition to those who had committed more serious crimes, the cells here also housed women convicted of gossip. However, story sharing is now encouraged as you learn about the rather gruesome – but fascinating – details of life here, from the types of sentences that have been handed down to how legal proceedings work.
