Whaley Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whaley Bridge |
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 Whaley Bridge town centre |
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 Whaley Bridge
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| Population | 6,455 (Parish, 2011) |
| OS grid reference | SK 012 815 |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HIGH PEAK |
| Postcode district | SK23 |
| Dialling code | 01663 |
| Police | Derbyshire |
| Fire | Derbyshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Whaley Bridge is a town in Derbyshire, England. It's located in the High Peak area, by the River Goyt. The town is about 16 miles (26 km) south-east of Manchester. In 2011, about 6,455 people lived there. This number includes nearby areas like Furness Vale and Horwich End.
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Discovering Whaley Bridge's Past
There's proof that people lived in the Whaley Bridge area a very long time ago. We've found ancient Bronze Age standing stones and burial sites. In 2005, a bronze axe head was even discovered!
The name Whaley comes from an old English phrase, weg lēah. This means 'a clearing by the road'. In the 1300s, the lands of Whaley were given to William Joddrell. His family name, Jodrell, is now linked to the famous Jodrell Bank Observatory. The town became known as Whaley Bridge in 1863.
Old Borders and Growth
The River Goyt used to be the border between Derbyshire and Cheshire. This meant Whaley Bridge was split into parts in both counties. For a long time, the area grew slowly. In 1563, there were only 26 households in one part of the town. By 1841, the population was still small, with only 853 people. Most people worked in farming or coalmining.
The town changed a lot during the Industrial Revolution. Its population almost tripled to 2,322 people. By 1871, cotton mills became the main industry. Coal mining had been important for a long time because coal was easy to find here. Today, there isn't much farming or coal mining in the area.
Whaley Bridge Today
Whaley Bridge is still growing with new houses being built. But it keeps its small-town feel. It's known as the Gateway to the Goyt and attracts many visitors, especially walkers. However, tourism doesn't completely take over the town, unlike some other places nearby. The Peak District Boundary Walk also passes through Whaley Bridge.
Since 1994, Whaley Bridge has been twinned with Tymbark in Poland. This means the two towns have a special friendship.
Exploring Whaley Bridge's Waterways and Railways
The Cromford and High Peak Railway
The Cromford and High Peak Railway was approved in 1825 and fully opened in 1831. This railway connected the Peak Forest Canal in Whaley Bridge to the Cromford Canal. It had special sloped sections called inclined planes. One of these was in Whaley Bridge itself. Horses pulled wagons up this slope until 1952!
The Peak Forest Canal
The Peak Forest Canal and its basin were built in the 1790s and opened in 1800. A very important building here is the Transhipment Warehouse, built in 1801. In this building, goods were moved between canal boats and the railway. The canal gets its water from the Combs and Toddbrook reservoirs. The canal splits near Whaley Bridge, going east to Buxworth or west towards Manchester. The Goyt Way walking path follows part of the canal.
Major Events in Whaley Bridge
The Great Flood of 1872
On June 19, 1872, Whaley Bridge experienced a huge flood. It was one of the worst floods in English history. The town received two inches of rain in just 24 hours.
The 2019 Dam Evacuation
On August 1, 2019, parts of Whaley Bridge had to be evacuated. This happened because heavy rain damaged the dam at Toddbrook Reservoir. People from nearby Furness Vale and New Mills also had to leave their homes. The Royal Air Force and fire services helped. Chinook helicopters brought in materials to fix the dam. Authorities said the dam was at "real risk of collapse." About 1,500 residents were evacuated. The water level in the reservoir was lowered by several meters to make it safe.
Learning in Whaley Bridge
Whaley Bridge has two primary schools: Whaley Bridge Primary School and Taxal & Fernilee Church of England Primary School. For secondary school, students usually travel to nearby towns. These include Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills, Buxton, or Macclesfield.
Getting Around Whaley Bridge
Whaley Bridge railway station is on the Buxton line. You can catch trains to Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, and Buxton. Trains usually run once an hour in each direction.
Bus services are mainly run by High Peak. The 199 skyline bus goes between Buxton, Stockport, and Manchester Airport every 30 minutes. Other buses connect Whaley Bridge to places like Glossop, Hayfield, and Macclesfield.
Local News and Entertainment
Local news and TV shows for Whaley Bridge come from BBC North West and ITV Granada. You can also listen to local radio stations like BBC Radio Manchester and Greatest Hits Radio Midlands. Whaley Radio is a community station that broadcasts on 107.4 FM. The local newspaper for the town is the Buxton Advertiser.
Places of Worship
The Church of England in Whaley Bridge has two churches. St James, Taxal, is an old church that dates back to the 12th century. Its bell tower has parts from that time. Holy Trinity Church, Fernilee, was built closer to the town centre in 1905.
The Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart serves Whaley Bridge and Disley. There's also a partnership of churches called the "Whaley Bridge Uniting Partnership." This group includes the United Reformed Church, Methodists, and Baptists. They have three places of worship. The Good News Church is an evangelical church in the Gospel Hall.
Whaley Hall is a large Victorian house near Toddbrook Reservoir. Since 1979, it has been a special place for retreats and conferences.
Fun Events and Traditions
Whaley Bridge has an annual carnival month in June. It starts with 'Whaley Water Weekend', also known as W3. This event began in 2000 and now includes music and arts, focusing on the canals. Many people enjoy free boat rides and live music.
After W3, there's the Well Dressing Weekend. This is a traditional Derbyshire event where a local well is decorated with amazing pictures made from flower petals and other natural materials. Carnival month ends with the Rose Queen Carnival. This event is over a hundred years old! Local young people and bands parade through the streets with decorated floats. The day ends with fun events at the Whaley Bridge Bowling Club. A fell race called the Whaley Waltz is also part of the Rose Queen programme.
In November, Whaley Bridge has a firework event and a lantern parade. The year ends with the switching on of the Christmas tree lights. Father Christmas traditionally arrives at the Transshipment Warehouse on a canal boat! He then processes to the Mechanics' Institute with his helpers.
Famous People from Whaley Bridge
- Abraham Bennet, a scientist, was baptised in Taxal.
- Jack Bond, a cricketer, used to be the landlord of the Jodrell Arms hotel.
- Edwina Currie, a politician and TV personality, lives in Whaley Bridge.
- Betty Driver, an actress famous for her role in Coronation Street, once ran the Cock Inn in Whaley Bridge.
- Bill Jones, a footballer who played for Liverpool and England, was born in Whaley Bridge in 1921.
- Jennifer Pinches, a British artistic gymnast, lives in Whaley Bridge.
