Home > Attractions and Features - A Virtual History Tour of Marple and District

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Last additions - Attractions and Features

Roman Bridge tea cup and saucerA miniature tea cup and saucer commemorating the Roman Bridge. Purchased on eBay c2010 by Mark Whittaker and donated to Marple Local History Society Archives in December 2023.Dec 18, 2023

Roman BridgePeople gathering on Roman Bridge for a photo. Provided by Joan Combey via Marple Local History Society Archives.Aug 24, 2021

Roman BridgePeople posing on Roman Bridge for a photo. Provided by Joan Combey via Marple Local History Society Archives.Aug 24, 2021

Motor launch on Roman LakesA Motor launch called SEA-GULL on Roman Lakes. Provided by Joan Combey via Marple Local History Society Archives.Aug 24, 2021

Roman BridgeMore Victorian visitors to the Roman Bridge. Provided by Janet Holmes.Feb 08, 2021

Bottom LockA view from Bottom Lock with Aqueduct House in the background. Provided by Janet Holmes.Feb 08, 2021

Marple Canal BridgeThe is the bridge that still crosses the Peak Forest Canal going up to the Ridge. Note the swing bridge in the foreground, which is no longer there. Have a look for traces when you are next passing. Provided by Janet Holmes.Feb 08, 2021

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Canals and LocksThe Peak Forest Canal running through Marple was constructed between 1794 and 1805. The upper section to Bugsworth was complete in 1796 and the lower section to Ashton, including the Grand Aqueduct, was finished in 1800. The locks themselves were not finished until 1804, so a tramway was used to connect the two sections. Click here to read more about the history of the canals.

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Marple Aqueduct (& Viaduct)

This album features the Grand Marple Aqueduct, which took seven years to build. Finished in 1800, it came close to ruin in the 1960s but is now a Grade I listed national treasure, and a scheduled ancient monument. Click here to read more about Marple Aqueduct.

100 files, last one added on May 22, 2020
Album viewed 5521 times

The Canals and Locks

Marple's Canal and Locks were unnavigable in the 1960s but thanks to the campaigning and determination of the Peak Forest Canal Society they were eventually dredged and rebuilt. Today they are part of the beautiful Cheshire Ring and Marple's greatest tourist asset. Click here fro a Virtual Tour of Marple Locks.

372 files, last one added on Feb 08, 2021
Album viewed 6884 times

2 albums on 1 page(s)

Roman LakesThe 'Roman Lakes' are not Roman at all but were christened this in Victorian times when they were a huge tourist attraction bringing enormous crowds to Marple, especially on Bank Holidays. The lakes were actually the mill ponds constructed for Oldknow's Mellor Mill in 1790, and although still popular, things are much quieter today. Click here to read more about visitors to Marple in Victorian times.

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Roman Bridge

Possibly Marple's most popular setting of all, the Roman Bridge features on numerous postcards both old and modern. We've made a point of collecting as many as we can and there will soon be further additions to this album.

73 files, last one added on Dec 18, 2023
Album viewed 1197 times

Roman Lakes and Surrounds

The canal and then the Railways bought floods of people seeking fresh air and the tranquil beauty of Marple's 'Roman Lakes'. It was not unusal for thousands of visitors to arrive on Bank Holiday weekends, all in their Sunday best!

158 files, last one added on Aug 24, 2021
Album viewed 2623 times

2 albums on 1 page(s)

Most viewed - Attractions and Features

Roman Bridge2641 viewsA young gentleman poses for the camera at Roman Bridge.

Aqueduct House2607 viewsA sepia shot of Aqueduct House.
From Marple Local History Society Archives.

By the Roman Bridge2543 viewsA hand coloured postcard of the approach to Roman Bridge, c1910.

Mineral Mill2052 viewsThe ruins of the Mineral Mill, part of the Lime Kilns complex on the Peak Forest Canal.
Updated from Marple Local History Society Archives 1 May 2010.

Roman Bridge2035 viewsThree chaps strike a pose on the Roman Bridge.

Jinks' Boatyard1970 viewsWorkers at Jinks' Boatyard pose for a photo with great reflections.
From Marple Local History Society Archives.

Lock No. 11 19781778 viewsLock 11, from the Marple Civic Society Archives, dated 1978.

Roman Bridge1419 viewsA group on a day trip pose for a photograph on Roman Bridge.

Random files - Attractions and Features

Marple AqueductA view of Marple Aqueduct from the direction of Upper Water Meetings Farm. Doesn't it look so much better without the trees obstructing the view!

Roman LakesMoored rowing boats on Roman Lakes.

Roman BridgeA newspaper cutting of Roman Bridge with the caption: "Over 20,000 visited Marple Bridge on Good Friday. The Roman Bridge was one of the beauty spots which attracted thousands of ramblers." From Marple Local History Society Archives.

Flood Gate Cottage 1978Flood Gate Cottage and the Viaduct, from the Marple Civic Society Archives, dated 1978.

LocksideLooking down the locks on Lockside, Peak Forest Canal.
From Marple Local History Society Archives.

LocksideLooking towards Possett Bridge with Marple Liberal Club in view.

Plucks BridgeAncoats Lads Country Home at Plucks Bridge, provided by Janet Holmes.

The WillowsThe Willows, near Roman Lakes. A hand coloured card postmarked 1908.

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A Virtual History Tour of Marple and District

With The Marple Website and Marple Local History Society