Macclesfield

城市概覽

The pharmaceuticals conglomerate Astra-Zeneca has a large manufacturing site in Macclesfield, though its research centre at nearby Alderley Edge was closed in 2014. The biotech and pharmaceutical industry is a significant source of local employment. In 2021, Macclesfield was home to 54,000 people.

History Macclesfield was first recorded under the name "Maclesfeld" in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its name is probably from a local landowner of the time. Two centuries later it was granted a charter. The Church of All Saints was built shortly afterwards, where St Michael's Church now stands in the centre of town. The Earls of Chester established the nearby Forest of Macclesfield, much larger than its present-day counterpart, as their private hunting preserve. Most of it was cut down after population increased in the mid-14th century. Throughout the Middle Ages it was fortified, probably by some sort of ditch and palisade. The names of streets such as Chestergate and Jordangate, contrary to popular belief, are unlikely to refer to the former presence of gates or portals in now-vanished walls; the term 'gate' is derived from 'gata', Scandinavian for road, which became gate in Middle English, and thus the term simply means to the road to Chester, or to the river Jordan, which was once a name for the Bollin. During the Civil War, in 1642 the town was occupied for the King by Sir Thomas Aston, a Royalist. A century later, during the Jacobite Uprising, Bonnie Prince Charlie marched through on his effort to reach London. Later in the 18th century Macclesfield, like much of that region of the country, began developing as a centre for textile manufacture. By the 1830s it was the world's biggest producer of finished silks; some of the 71 mills that were in operation are scattered around today's Macclesfield. Fashions changed, however, increasingly preferring French silk and the cottons from Manchester to the north, and many of those mills closed down. So little industry was lef

如何抵達

By train 1 Macclesfield station is on the main train line between London Euston and Manchester and is easily accessed from by high-speed trains (Manchester 20 minutes, London 1 hour 45 minutes). Cross Country services between Manchester and Birmingham also call at Macclesfield. Local stopping services are available to Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent. The train station is just to the east of the town centre and the main shopping area.

By bus Macclesfield is connected to several surrounding towns by bus. Most significantly to; Congleton, Sandbach & Crewe by service 38; Knutsford by service 87; Wilmslow by service 130; Buxton by service 58. More details of local buses can be found on the Cheshire East Council Website.

By car The nearest motorway is the M6. From the north, take Junction 19, and travel through Knutsford. From the south, use Junction 17 and follow the signs for Congleton until Macclesfield is signposted. In either direction, the distance from the motorway is about 15 miles (25 km). From the east, the main road into the town is the A537 from Buxton, known as the Cat and Fiddle road (after the former pub, now the highest-located distillery in England) at its summit. It is a scenic route, but in winter it is occasionally impassable.

By plane Manchester Airport (MAN IATA) is 12 mi (19 km) away. By taxi the fare is typically about £35 if pre-booked. There is no direct train service from the airport but there are frequent trains into Manchester Piccadilly with connections to Macclesfield. There is D&G 130 M-Sa daytime bus service between Macclesfield & Wythenshawe where there are frequent bus or Metrolink tram connections to the airport. It could be cheaper but the train is usually quicker.

當地交通

The town centre is easily traversable by foot. Buses to suburbs and nearby towns depart from the bus station on Queen Victoria Street. From the train station, cross the road to Waters Green and follow this up the hill and round to the left. Nowhere in Macclesfield is completely flat and some parts are rather steep, but every so often you’ll see a view of the hills that makes it all worthwhile. Be aware that cobbled streets can be slippery when wet.

必看景點

1 The 108 Steps (descends from Churchside SE of the church to Waters Green next to the Old Millstone Inn). Stairs between Waters Green and the town centre that are a beloved local landmark. (updated Aug 2015) 2 Macclesfield Cemetery, Prestbury Road (enter at gates and lodge on N side of road 800 ft (250 m) W of A537 roundabout), ☏ +44 1625 383946, [email protected]. 9AM-dusk daily. The grounds are pretty; the ornate stone gates, lodge and chapel are all listed, and there are many veterans of World Wars I and II buried or interred here, including Victoria Cross recipient George Harold Eardley. But the main attraction for visitors is the grave of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis, on the walkway next to the trees a short distance from the crematorium and car park. It's very simple, marked with his name, date of death and "Love Will Tear Us Apart", the single that became a hit after his suicide. There's often memorabilia left there, but not so much that it detracts from the experience of contemplating his final resting place whilst listening to 'The Eternal' or another of Joy Division's darker songs. (updated Aug 2015) 3 St Michael and All Angels Church, Market Place (in centre of town, next to Town Hall on Mill Street opposite Chestergate), ☏ +44 1625 421984, [email protected]. Its dark stone tower visible from much of the town, and looming over the rail station car park, St Michael's is the building most identified with Macclesfield. A grade II* listed building, the current edifice was built in Victorian Gothic style between 1898 and 1901, replacing the Georgian-style 1740s church (which was built on the site of a 13th-century church) but retaining two late mediaeval chapels. Some gravestones from the 1700s remain but have been relocated, and there are great views to the east from Churchside, the road that runs around the church, and neighbouring Sparrow Park. (updated Feb 2018) 4 Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Park Lane, SK11 6T

體驗活動

Watch football at 1 Macclesfield FC, Moss Rose Stadium, London Road SK11 7SP (on main A523 road 1 mile south of town centre), ☏ +44 1625 264686, [email protected]. "The Silkmen" play in the Northern Premier League Two. The stadium, Moss Rose, built in 1891, is one of the oldest in England. Middlewood Way (access from various points, starts on Gas Road near Waters Green railway bridge.). This former railway line has been reclaimed to provide 10 miles (16 km) of greenway for walkers, cyclists and also horse riders for part of the route. Stretching from Macclesfield to Marple (via Bollington & High Lane) it connects with many other footpaths and is reasonably well surfaced for accessible use. (updated Dec 2023) Macclesfield Canal (access from various points). Macclesfield Canal runs between Marple to the