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{{Short description|Valley in England}}
{{Short description|Valley in the Peak District, England}}
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  |static_image_caption=The view westward down Longdendale from above the [[Woodhead Tunnel]], showing the [[Longdendale Trail]] (left) and A628 Woodhead Pass road
  |static_image_caption=The view westward down Longdendale from above the Woodhead Tunnel, showing the Longdendale Trail (left) and A628 Woodhead Pass
  |website=
  |website=
}}
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'''Longdendale''' is a valley in the [[Peak District]] of England, north of [[Glossop]] and southwest of [[Holmfirth]]. The name means "long wooded valley" and the valley is mostly in the counties of [[Derbyshire]] and [[Greater Manchester]].
'''Longdendale''' is a valley in the [[Peak District]] of England, which spans the counties of [[Greater Manchester]], [[Derbyshire]], [[South Yorkshire]] and [[West Yorkshire]]. It runs from the north of [[Glossop]] and to the south-west of [[Holmfirth]]. The name means "long wooded valley".
[[File:Padfield - A stile with a view.jpg|thumb|top|right|The view eastward up Longdendale from [[Padfield]]]]
 
==Geography==
==Geography==
The eastern part of the valley is in the [[non-metropolitan county]] of Derbyshire and includes the village of [[Tintwistle]] and, further east, part of the Peak District National Park, with the last half-mile or so falling into the [[Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley]] in [[South Yorkshire]]. The western part of the valley, including the villages of [[Broadbottom]], [[Mottram in Longdendale]] and [[Hollingworth]] is part of [[Tameside]] in the [[metropolitan county]] of Greater Manchester. The whole of Longdendale forms the easternmost extension of the lands within the [[Historic counties of England|historic boundaries]] of [[Cheshire]].
The eastern part of the valley is in the [[non-metropolitan county]] of Derbyshire and includes the village of [[Tintwistle]] and, further east, part of the [[Peak District National Park]]; the last half-mile falls into the [[Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley]], in South Yorkshire. The western part of the valley, including the villages of [[Broadbottom]], [[Mottram in Longdendale]] and [[Hollingworth]] is part of [[Tameside]], in the [[metropolitan county]] of Greater Manchester. The whole of Longdendale forms the easternmost extension of the lands within the [[Historic counties of England|historic boundaries]] of [[Cheshire]].


The [[River Etherow]], a [[tributary]] of the [[River Mersey]], rises south of [[Holmfirth]] and then flows through a chain of six [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] known as the [[Longdendale Chain]]: [[Woodhead Reservoir]], [[Torside Reservoir]], [[Rhodeswood Reservoir]], [[Valehouse Reservoir]], [[Bottoms Reservoir, Derbyshire|Bottoms Reservoir]] and [[Arnfield Reservoir]]. There was a seventh reservoir at [[Hollingworth]], but it was abandoned in 1990 and now forms part of [[Swallows Wood|Swallows Wood Nature Reserve]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cheshirenow.co.uk/longdendale.html |title=Longdendale |publisher=cheshirenow.co.uk |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>
The [[River Etherow]], a [[tributary]] of the [[River Mersey]], rises south of Holmfirth and then flows through a chain of six [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]], known as the [[Longdendale Chain]]: [[Woodhead Reservoir|Woodhead]], [[Torside Reservoir|Torside]], [[Rhodeswood Reservoir|Rhodeswood]], [[Valehouse Reservoir|Valehouse]], [[Bottoms Reservoir, Derbyshire|Bottoms]] and [[Arnfield Reservoir|Arnfield]]. There was a seventh at [[Hollingworth]], but it was abandoned in 1990 and now forms part of [[Swallows Wood|Swallows Wood Nature Reserve]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cheshirenow.co.uk/longdendale.html |title=Longdendale |publisher=Cheshirenow.co.uk |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>


<gallery>
<gallery>
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==History==
==History==
===The Romans===
===The Romans===
There is a Roman fortlet at Highstones on the south-facing slope overlooking Torside Reservoir. It is an oval-shaped area, with an obvious ditch, and about {{convert|75|m|yd|order=flip}} across. A footpath runs immediately to the north of it, and to the west is Highstones Farm. A Roman road may have run along the valley connecting it with [[Melandra Castle]] (Glossop).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200594/scheduled_monuments/861/castleshaw_roman_forts|title=Castleshaw Roman Forts|first=Gordon|last=Lee|website=www.oldham.gov.uk|accessdate=11 February 2022}}</ref>
There is a Roman fortlet at Highstones on the south-facing slope overlooking Torside Reservoir. It is an oval-shaped area, with an obvious ditch, and about {{convert|75|m|yd|order=flip}} across. A footpath runs immediately to the north of it, and to the west is Highstones Farm. A Roman road may have run along the valley connecting it with [[Melandra Castle]], in Glossop.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200594/scheduled_monuments/861/castleshaw_roman_forts |title=Castleshaw Roman Forts |first=Gordon|last=Lee |website=Oldham.gov.uk |access-date=11 February 2022}}</ref>


===Feudal estates===
===Feudal estates===
The lordship of Longdendale was an ancient feudal estate encompassing the medieval [[manorialism|manors]] of [[Godley, Greater Manchester|Godley]], [[Hattersley]], [[Hollingworth]], [[Matley]], [[Mottram in Longdendale|Mottram]], [[Newton, Hyde|Newton]], [[Stalybridge|Staley]], [[Tintwistle]] and [[Werneth, Greater Manchester|Werneth]]. The lordship was created by the [[Earl of Chester]] in the late twelfth century; William de Neville was the first lord of Longdendale, as appointed by the Earl of Chester.<ref>{{cite book
The lordship of Longdendale was an ancient feudal estate encompassing the medieval [[manorialism|manors]] of [[Godley, Greater Manchester|Godley]], [[Hattersley]], [[Hollingworth]], [[Matley]], [[Mottram in Longdendale|Mottram]], [[Newton, Hyde|Newton]], [[Stalybridge|Staley]], [[Tintwistle]] and [[Werneth, Greater Manchester|Werneth]]. The lordship was created by the [[Earl of Chester]] in the late twelfth century; William de Neville was the first lord of Longdendale, as appointed by the Earl of Chester.<ref>{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Nevell |year=1994 |title=The People Who Made Tameside |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with [[Manchester University|University of Manchester Archaeological Unit]] |page=86 |isbn=1-871324-12-2}}
|first=Mike  
</ref> [[Buckton Castle]], near [[Carrbrook]], was probably built by William de Neville in the late twelfth century<ref name="Lands & Lordships">{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Nevell |year=1998 |title=Lands and Lordships in Tameside |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |pages=60–61, 63 |isbn=1-871324-18-1}}</ref> and was also probably the centre of lordship of Longdendale, as it is the only castle within the lordship.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Mike |last1=Nevell |first2=John |last2=Walker |year=1999 |title=Tameside in Transition |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |page=95 |isbn=1-871324-24-6}}</ref> One of the privileges of the lordship was to carry out trial by combat. The lordship of Longdendale was passed from de Neville to his son in law, Thomas de Burgh, upon his death in 1211.
|last=Nevell
 
|year=1994
The lordship reverted to the control of the crown in 1357 and remained under crown control until 1374. The lordship was given to Matilda Lovell and the Lovells controlled Longdendale until 1465, when control again reverted to the crown. The lordship was granted to Sir William Stanley in 1489; however, the lordship once again reverted to the crown when Stanley was executed in 1495 as a supporter of [[Perkin Warbeck]]. In 1554, the lordship was granted to Richard Wilbraham.<ref>{{cite book |first=Mike  |last=Nevell |year=1991 |title=Tameside 1066–1700 |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |pages=11–13, 15, 39–40 |isbn=1-871324-02-5}}</ref> Tollemache family inherited lordship of Longdendale from the Wilbrahams in the 1690s.<ref>{{cite book |first=Mike  |last=Nevell |year=1993 |title=Tameside 1700–1930
|title=The People Who Made Tameside
|publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |pages=17, 93 |isbn=1-871324-08-4}}</ref> It was part of the Hundred of Macclesfield. An estate survey, or 'Extent' of the lordship for 1360, was published by the Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire in July 2005.
|publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with [[Manchester University|University of Manchester Archaeological Unit]]
|page=86
|isbn=1-871324-12-2}}
</ref> [[Buckton Castle]], near [[Carrbrook]], was probably built by William de Neville in the late twelfth century<ref name="Lands & Lordships">{{cite book
|first=Mike  
|last=Nevell
|year=1998
|title=Lands and Lordships in Tameside
|publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council with the [[Manchester University|University of Manchester Archaeological Unit]]
|pages=60–61, 63
|isbn=1-871324-18-1}}
</ref> and was also probably the centre of lordship of Longdendale as it is the only castle within the lordship.<ref>{{cite book
|first1=Mike  
|last1=Nevell
|first2=John
|last2=Walker
|year=1999
|title=Tameside in Transition
|publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with [[Manchester University|University of Manchester Archaeological Unit]]
|page=95
|isbn=1-871324-24-6}}
</ref> One of the privileges of the lordship was to carry out trial by combat. The lordship of Longdendale was passed from de Neville to his son in law, Thomas de Burgh, in 1211 on his death. The lordship reverted to the control of the crown in 1357, and remained under crown control until 1374. The lordship was given to Matilda Lovell and the Lovells controlled Longdendale until 1465 when control again reverted to the crown. The lordship was granted to Sir William Stanley in 1489, however the lordship once again reverted to the crown when Stanley was executed in 1495 as a supporter of [[Perkin Warbeck]]. In 1554 the lordship was granted to Richard Wilbraham.<ref>{{cite book
|first=Mike  
  |last=Nevell
|year=1991
|title=Tameside 1066–1700
|publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with the [[Manchester University|University of Manchester Archaeological Unit]]
|pages=11–13, 15, 39–40
|isbn=1-871324-02-5}}
</ref> Tollemache family inherited lordship of Longdendale from the Wilbrahams in the 1690s.<ref>{{cite book
|first=Mike  
  |last=Nevell
|year=1993
|title=Tameside 1700–1930
|publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with the [[Manchester University|University of Manchester Archaeological Unit]]
|pages=17, 93
|isbn=1-871324-08-4}}
</ref> It was part of the Hundred of Macclesfield. An estate survey, or 'Extent' of the lordship for 1360 was published by the Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire in July 2005.


===Salt trade===
===Salt trade===
[[File:Lady Shaw Bridge, Longdendale, Derbyshire.JPG|thumb|right|Lady Shaw Bridge]]
[[File:Lady Shaw Bridge, Longdendale, Derbyshire.JPG|thumb|right|Lady Shaw Bridge]]
A [[packhorse]] route called a saltway was maintained from the [[Middle Ages]] onwards for the purpose of allowing the export of salt from the [[Cheshire]] ''[[Wich town|wiches]]'' of [[Nantwich]], [[Northwich]] and [[Middlewich]] across the [[Pennines]]. The passing trade brought prosperity to settlements along the route. The importance of the salt trade along such saltways is shown by surviving placenames; for example Salter's Brook ({{gbmappingsmall|SK137999}}) is where the saltway forked, with one route leading to [[Wakefield]] and another to [[Barnsley]]. The stone Lady Shaw Bridge still exists at this point, as do the ruins of an old inn. The bridge is just wide enough for a packhorse, though it is suspected that the bridge may have originally been wider and was deliberately narrowed when the Saltersbrook turnpike was built, to prevent vehicles bypassing the toll barrier.<ref>On-site information board.</ref>
 
A [[packhorse]] route called a saltway was maintained from the [[Middle Ages]] onwards for the purpose of allowing the export of salt from the Cheshire ''[[Wich town|wiches]]'' of [[Nantwich]], [[Northwich]] and [[Middlewich]] across the [[Pennines]]. The passing trade brought prosperity to settlements along the route. The importance of the salt trade along such saltways is shown by surviving placenames; for example Salter's Brook ({{gbmappingsmall|SK137999}}) is where the saltway forked, with one route leading to [[Wakefield]] and another to [[Barnsley]].  
 
The stone Lady Shaw Bridge is extant at this point, as do the ruins of an old inn. The bridge is just wide enough for a packhorse, though it is suspected that the bridge may have originally been wider and was deliberately narrowed when the Saltersbrook turnpike was built, to prevent vehicles bypassing the toll barrier.{{citation needed|date=December 2025}}


===Turnpike road===
===Turnpike road===
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===The reservoirs===
===The reservoirs===
[[File:Padfield - A stile with a view.jpg|thumb|top|right|The view eastward up Longdendale from [[Padfield]], in Derbyshire]]
{{Main|Longdendale Chain}}
{{Main|Longdendale Chain}}
The Longdendale catchment exceeds {{convert|30|sqmi|km2}} and has an annual rainfall of {{convert|52.5|in|mm|order=flip}}. The civil engineer [[John Frederick Bateman]] recognised the potential and conceived a plan to deliver this water to Manchester and Salford, while still maintaining the flow in the River Etherow that was needed to power the mills of [[Tintwistle]] and [[Glossop]]. The six reservoirs have a capacity of {{convert|4500000000|impgal|m3|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Durant |first1=M. J. |last2=Counsell |first2=C. J. |date=2018 |title=Inventory of reservoirs amounting to 90% of total UK storage |url=https://doi.org/10.5285/f5a7d56c-cea0-4f00-b159-c3788a3b2b38 |publisher=NERC Environmental Information Data Centre |access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref> A tunnel was built at a depth of {{convert|200|ft|m|-1}} to carry the water from Longdendale into the valley of the [[River Tame, Greater Manchester|River Tame]]. The [[Manchester Corporation Waterworks Act 1847]] ([[10 & 11 Vict.]] c. cciii) (9 July 1847) was passed to allow the land to be acquired and construction to commence.<ref name=quayle>{{cite book
The Longdendale catchment exceeds {{convert|30|sqmi|km2}} and has an annual rainfall of {{convert|52.5|in|mm|order=flip}}. The civil engineer [[John Frederick Bateman]] recognised the potential and conceived a plan to deliver this water to Manchester and Salford, while still maintaining the flow in the River Etherow that was needed to power the mills of [[Tintwistle]] and Glossop. The six reservoirs have a capacity of {{convert|4500000000|impgal|m3|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Durant |first1=M. J. |last2=Counsell |first2=C. J. |date=2018 |title=Inventory of reservoirs amounting to 90% of total UK storage |url=https://doi.org/10.5285/f5a7d56c-cea0-4f00-b159-c3788a3b2b38 |publisher=NERC Environmental Information Data Centre |access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref> A tunnel was built at a depth of {{convert|200|ft|m|-1}} to carry the water from Longdendale into the valley of the [[River Tame, Greater Manchester|River Tame]]. The Manchester Corporation Waterworks Act 1847 ([[10 & 11 Vict.]] c. cciii) (9 July 1847) was passed to allow the land to be acquired and construction to commence.<ref name=quayle>{{cite book |title= Manchester's water: the reservoirs in the hills |first=Tom |last=Quayle |pages=7, 19 |year=2006 |publisher=Tempus |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7524-3198-6}}</ref>
|title= Manchester's water: the reservoirs in the hills
|first=Tom
|last=Quayle
|pages = 7, 19
|year= 2006
|publisher= Tempus
|location= Stroud
|isbn= 0-7524-3198-6}}</ref>


===The railway===
===The railway===
{{Main|Woodhead Line}}
{{Main|Woodhead Line}}
The first railway line between [[Manchester]] and [[Sheffield]] was constructed between 1839 and 1845 on the south side of the reservoir chain by 1,500 navvies of whom many died and most suffered illness. The three-mile-long double [[Woodhead Tunnel]] was, for a time, the longest tunnel in the country. It was replaced by a single, larger tunnel in 1954. The first tunnel was subsequently used by [[CEGB]] to reroute the main high-voltage link up the valley and through the National Park underground. The railway line ceased to be economical, and in 1970 the passenger service ceased, followed in 1981 by the goods service. The passenger service was adversely affected by the requirement to keep the [[Hope Valley Line]] open, whilst the freight service was affected by the falloff in Trans-Pennine coal traffic. The track was lifted in 1986. There have been plans to re-open the railway at various times since it was closed, but none have gained planning approval.
The first railway line between [[Manchester]] and [[Sheffield]] was constructed between 1839 and 1845, on the south side of the reservoir chain, by 1,500 navvies of whom many died and most suffered illness. The three mile-long double [[Woodhead Tunnel]] was, for a time, the longest tunnel in the country. It was replaced by a single, larger tunnel in 1954. The first tunnel was subsequently used by [[Central Electricity Generating Board]] to reroute the main high-voltage link up the valley and through the National Park underground.  
 
In 1970, passenger services between {{rws|Hadfield}} and {{rws|Penistone}} ceased. Whilst the [[Beeching Report]] recommended the closure of the [[Hope Valley Line]] and retention of the Woodhead Line, the government implemented the opposite.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Over the Woodhead in the cab of ''Tommy''|first=Christopher|last=Nicholson|pages=43–47|magazine=The Railway Magazine|date=September 2014|volume=160|issue=1,362|issn=0033-8923}}</ref> This was followed by the goods service in 1981, due to the falloff in trans-Pennine coal traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/my-farewell-sheffield-manchester-electrics-congreves |title=My farewell to the Manchester Sheffield Electrics - Congreves (1970) film no: 1007 (context) |publisher=Yorkshire Film Archive |access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref> The track was lifted in 1986. There have been plans to reopen the railway at various times since it was closed, but none have gained planning approval.


==Recreation==
==Recreation==
===Cycling and walking===
===Cycling and walking===
[[File:Longdendale4633.JPG|thumb|Walking and riding on the Longdendale Trail, March 2008]]
[[File:Longdendale4633.JPG|thumb|Walking and riding on the Longdendale Trail, March 2008]]
After the rail line was closed, the trackbed was taken up and the [[Longdendale Trail]] constructed along its route. It is now part of the [[Trans-Pennine Trail]] ([[Sustrans]] National Cycle Route 62<ref>{{cite web
 
|url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200102&documentID=2590  
After the railway line was closed, the trackbed was taken up and the [[Longdendale Trail]] was constructed along its route. It is now part of the [[Trans-Pennine Trail]] and [[Sustrans]]' National Cycle Route 62<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200102&documentID=2590 |title=Signed Cycle Routes in Manchester |publisher=Manchester City Council |access-date=25 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111024918/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200102&documentID=2590 |archive-date=11 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which, in turn, is part of the {{convert|2000|mi|adj=on}} [[European walking route E8]] from [[Liverpool]] to [[Istanbul]].
|title=Signed Cycle Routes in Manchester  
 
|publisher=Manchester City Council  
[[Holme Moss]] and the Woodhead Pass were on the route of the [[2014 Tour de France]], during the second stage between York and Sheffield.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tour de France 2014: Leeds chosen for start as English route is unveiled |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/17/tour-de-france-2014-olympic-park |newspaper=The Guardian |first=William |last=Fortheringham |date=17 January 2013 | access-date=18 January 2013}}</ref>
|access-date=25 January 2008  
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111024918/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200102&documentID=2590  
|archive-date=11 January 2008  
|url-status=dead  
}}
</ref>) which, in its turn, is part of the {{convert|2000|mi|adj=on}} [[European walking route E8]] from Liverpool to Istanbul. [[Holme Moss]] and Woodhead Pass are on the chosen route of the [[2014 Tour de France]], during the second stage between York and Sheffield.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tour de France 2014: Leeds chosen for start as English route is unveiled |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/17/tour-de-france-2014-olympic-park |newspaper=The Guardian |first=William |last=Fortheringham |date=17 January 2013| access-date=18 January 2013}}</ref>


The [[Pennine Way]] crosses Longdendale, descending from [[Bleaklow]] to the south and ascending [[Black Hill (Peak District)|Black Hill]] to the north. The [[Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)|youth hostel]] at Crowden is a traditional stop after the first day's walk from [[Edale]]. The circular walk known as 'The Longdendale Edges' takes in the high ground (at about the {{convert|1000|–|1500|ft|adj=on}} level) on both sides of the valley. It is about {{convert|17|mi}} long and is 'not recommended in doubtful weather'. The detailed route, clockwise from Crowden Youth Hostel, is given in ''Peak District Walking Guide No.2'', published by the Peak Park Planning Board.
The [[Pennine Way]] crosses Longdendale, descending from [[Bleaklow]] to the south and ascending [[Black Hill (Peak District)|Black Hill]] to the north. The [[Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)|youth hostel]] at Crowden is a traditional stop after the first day's walk from [[Edale]]. The circular walk known as 'The Longdendale Edges' takes in the high ground (at about the {{convert|1000|–|1500|ft|adj=on}} level) on both sides of the valley. It is about {{convert|17|mi}} long and is 'not recommended in doubtful weather'. The detailed route, clockwise from Crowden Youth Hostel, is given in ''Peak District Walking Guide No.2'', published by the Peak Park Planning Board.
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==Transport==
==Transport==
===Woodhead pass road===<!--Woodhead pass redirects here-->
===Woodhead pass road===<!--Woodhead pass redirects here-->
{{See also|Longdendale Bypass|M6 motorway}}
{{See also|Longdendale Bypass}}


The [[M67 motorway]] starts at the [[M60 motorway]] in Manchester and heads east where it currently terminates at [[Mottram in Longdendale]]. There were plans in the 1960s to extend it through the National Park to the [[M1 motorway]] and [[Sheffield]]{{cn|date=September 2024}} but it was never built. From here the [[A628 road|A628]] runs through the valley to join the [[A616 road|A616]].
The [[M67 motorway]] starts at junction 24 of the [[M60 motorway|M60]] at [[Denton, Greater Manchester|Denton]] and heads east where it terminates at [[Mottram in Longdendale]]. There were plans in the 1960s to extend it through the National Park to the [[M1 motorway]] and [[Sheffield]],{{cn|date=September 2024}} but it was never built. From here, the [[A628 road|A628]] runs through the valley to join the [[A616 road|A616]].


As of January 2008 there are advanced plans to improve the A628 route by bypassing [[Mottram in Longdendale|Mottram]] and [[Tintwistle]] to the north with a spur to the [[A57 road]]. Known as the 'A57/A628 Mottram-in-Longdendale, Hollingworth & Tintwistle Bypass' or [[Longdendale Bypass]], the public inquiry has been adjourned four times and is currently adjourned 'indefinitely'.<ref name=INQ_news>{{cite web|url=http://www.persona.uk.com/mottram/news.htm |title=The Mottram/Tintwistle Bypass and Glossop Spur Public Inquiry – News |publisher=Persona |access-date=21 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622120537/http://www.persona.uk.com/mottram/news.htm |archive-date=22 June 2007 }}</ref>
The Woodhead Pass is a major freight route and is often congested, which has created traffic problems at its western end. The Mottram to Tintwistle by-pass is intended to relieve the congestion;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Work on £200m Mottram Pennine bypass 'could start in 2023' |work=BBC News |date=24 August 2020 |access-date=6 December 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-53892282}}</ref> work began to build the by-pass in 2024 and it is scheduled to be completed by 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A57 bypass roadworks 'mean we cannot make plans' |last=Stead |first=Richard |work=BBC News |date=6 November 2025 |access-date=6 December 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn516yy5wv7o}}</ref>


== Governance ==
== Governance ==
{{About||the electoral ward of Tameside Council|Longdendale (ward)}}
{{About||the electoral ward of Tameside Council|Longdendale (ward)}}
The valley gave its name to the [[Longdendale Urban District]], which covered the western part of the valley around Mottram and Hollingworth. That district was created in 1936 as one of the districts of Cheshire, and was abolished in 1974 when its area became part of the metropolitan borough of [[Tameside]] in Greater Manchester.<ref>{{cite web |title=Longendale [sic] Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10027536 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|schedule=1|access-date=15 January 2025|mode=cs1}}</ref>
The valley gave its name to the [[Longdendale Urban District]], which covered the western part of the valley around Mottram and Hollingworth. That district was created in 1936, as one of the districts of Cheshire, and was abolished in 1974 when its area became part of the metropolitan borough of [[Tameside]], in Greater Manchester.<ref>{{cite web |title=Longendale [sic] Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10027536 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|schedule=1|access-date=15 January 2025|mode=cs1}}</ref>


Traditionally, Longdendale was in the County palatine of Chester. Up until [[Local Government Act 1972|local government reforms]] in 1974, Longdendale Urban District, along with [[Tintwistle Rural District]], formed part of the administrative county of Cheshire; the [[Glossop|Municipal Borough of Glossop]] was in Derbyshire; and [[Penistone Rural District]] was in the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]]. Today, the valley is split between the [[Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley]] in South Yorkshire, the [[High Peak, Derbyshire|Borough of High Peak]] in Derbyshire, and the [[Tameside|Metropolitan Borough of Tameside]] in Greater Manchester.
Traditionally, Longdendale was in the County palatine of Chester. Up until [[Local Government Act 1972|local government reforms]] in 1974, Longdendale Urban District, along with [[Tintwistle Rural District]], formed part of the administrative county of Cheshire; the [[Glossop|Municipal Borough of Glossop]] was in Derbyshire; and [[Penistone Rural District]] was in the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]]. Today, the valley is split between the [[Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley]] in South Yorkshire, the [[High Peak, Derbyshire|Borough of High Peak]] in Derbyshire, and the [[Tameside|Metropolitan Borough of Tameside]] in Greater Manchester.
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==Longdendale lights==
==Longdendale lights==
{{Main|Longdendale lights}}
{{Main|Longdendale lights}}
The valley and the surrounding area has a reputation for strange phenomena, including unexplained lights<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/323866.stm|title=Peak viewing for ghouls|publisher=BBC News|date=21 April 1999 |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
The valley and the surrounding area has a reputation for strange phenomena, including unexplained lights<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/323866.stm|title=Peak viewing for ghouls |publisher=BBC News |date=21 April 1999 |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.drdavidclarke.co.uk/longden.htm |title=The Longdendale Lights |last=Clarke |first=David |work=Dr. David Clarke |access-date=23 January 2009}}</ref> and allegedly [[supernatural]] apparitions and has become a centre of attention for [[UFO]] and [[Ghosts in European culture|ghost]] hunters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.longdendale.com/legends.html |title=Legends of Longdendale |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514213436/http://www.longdendale.com/legends.html |publisher=Longdendale on-line |archive-date=14 May 2008 |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> However, it has been suggested that the lights may be ''[[earthquake lights|earth lights]]'' produced by pressure on the underlying rocks.<ref name=BBC />
|url=https://www.drdavidclarke.co.uk/longden.htm
|title=The Longdendale Lights
|last=Clarke
|first=David
|work=Dr. David Clarke
|access-date=23 January 2009}}
</ref> and allegedly [[supernatural]] apparitions and has become a centre of attention for [[UFO]] and [[Ghosts in European culture|ghost]] hunters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.longdendale.com/legends.html |title=Legends of Longdendale |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514213436/http://www.longdendale.com/legends.html |publisher=Longdendale Online | archive-date=14 May 2008 |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> It has, however, been suggested that the lights may be "[[earthquake lights|earth lights]]" produced by pressure on the underlying rocks.<ref name=BBC />


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Longdendale]]
* [[Listed buildings in Longdendale]]


==References==
==References==
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==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*Middleton, Thomas (1906). ''Legends of Longdendale''. Clarendon Press.
* Middleton, Thomas (1906). ''Legends of Longdendale''. Clarendon Press.


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 22:37, 6 December 2025

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Longdendale is a valley in the Peak District of England, which spans the counties of Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. It runs from the north of Glossop and to the south-west of Holmfirth. The name means "long wooded valley".

Geography

The eastern part of the valley is in the non-metropolitan county of Derbyshire and includes the village of Tintwistle and, further east, part of the Peak District National Park; the last half-mile falls into the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, in South Yorkshire. The western part of the valley, including the villages of Broadbottom, Mottram in Longdendale and Hollingworth is part of Tameside, in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester. The whole of Longdendale forms the easternmost extension of the lands within the historic boundaries of Cheshire.

The River Etherow, a tributary of the River Mersey, rises south of Holmfirth and then flows through a chain of six reservoirs, known as the Longdendale Chain: Woodhead, Torside, Rhodeswood, Valehouse, Bottoms and Arnfield. There was a seventh at Hollingworth, but it was abandoned in 1990 and now forms part of Swallows Wood Nature Reserve.[1]

History

The Romans

There is a Roman fortlet at Highstones on the south-facing slope overlooking Torside Reservoir. It is an oval-shaped area, with an obvious ditch, and about Script error: No such module "convert". across. A footpath runs immediately to the north of it, and to the west is Highstones Farm. A Roman road may have run along the valley connecting it with Melandra Castle, in Glossop.[2]

Feudal estates

The lordship of Longdendale was an ancient feudal estate encompassing the medieval manors of Godley, Hattersley, Hollingworth, Matley, Mottram, Newton, Staley, Tintwistle and Werneth. The lordship was created by the Earl of Chester in the late twelfth century; William de Neville was the first lord of Longdendale, as appointed by the Earl of Chester.[3] Buckton Castle, near Carrbrook, was probably built by William de Neville in the late twelfth century[4] and was also probably the centre of lordship of Longdendale, as it is the only castle within the lordship.[5] One of the privileges of the lordship was to carry out trial by combat. The lordship of Longdendale was passed from de Neville to his son in law, Thomas de Burgh, upon his death in 1211.

The lordship reverted to the control of the crown in 1357 and remained under crown control until 1374. The lordship was given to Matilda Lovell and the Lovells controlled Longdendale until 1465, when control again reverted to the crown. The lordship was granted to Sir William Stanley in 1489; however, the lordship once again reverted to the crown when Stanley was executed in 1495 as a supporter of Perkin Warbeck. In 1554, the lordship was granted to Richard Wilbraham.[6] Tollemache family inherited lordship of Longdendale from the Wilbrahams in the 1690s.[7] It was part of the Hundred of Macclesfield. An estate survey, or 'Extent' of the lordship for 1360, was published by the Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire in July 2005.

Salt trade

File:Lady Shaw Bridge, Longdendale, Derbyshire.JPG
Lady Shaw Bridge

A packhorse route called a saltway was maintained from the Middle Ages onwards for the purpose of allowing the export of salt from the Cheshire wiches of Nantwich, Northwich and Middlewich across the Pennines. The passing trade brought prosperity to settlements along the route. The importance of the salt trade along such saltways is shown by surviving placenames; for example Salter's Brook (Script error: No such module "Ordnance Survey coordinates".) is where the saltway forked, with one route leading to Wakefield and another to Barnsley.

The stone Lady Shaw Bridge is extant at this point, as do the ruins of an old inn. The bridge is just wide enough for a packhorse, though it is suspected that the bridge may have originally been wider and was deliberately narrowed when the Saltersbrook turnpike was built, to prevent vehicles bypassing the toll barrier.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Turnpike road

The turnpike road from Manchester to Saltersbrook connected to further turnpikes for Yorkshire destinations and was built in the mid-18th century, based on the older saltway route.

The reservoirs

File:Padfield - A stile with a view.jpg
The view eastward up Longdendale from Padfield, in Derbyshire

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The Longdendale catchment exceeds Script error: No such module "convert". and has an annual rainfall of Script error: No such module "convert".. The civil engineer John Frederick Bateman recognised the potential and conceived a plan to deliver this water to Manchester and Salford, while still maintaining the flow in the River Etherow that was needed to power the mills of Tintwistle and Glossop. The six reservoirs have a capacity of Script error: No such module "convert"..[8] A tunnel was built at a depth of Script error: No such module "convert". to carry the water from Longdendale into the valley of the River Tame. The Manchester Corporation Waterworks Act 1847 (10 & 11 Vict. c. cciii) (9 July 1847) was passed to allow the land to be acquired and construction to commence.[9]

The railway

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The first railway line between Manchester and Sheffield was constructed between 1839 and 1845, on the south side of the reservoir chain, by 1,500 navvies of whom many died and most suffered illness. The three mile-long double Woodhead Tunnel was, for a time, the longest tunnel in the country. It was replaced by a single, larger tunnel in 1954. The first tunnel was subsequently used by Central Electricity Generating Board to reroute the main high-voltage link up the valley and through the National Park underground.

In 1970, passenger services between Template:Rws and Template:Rws ceased. Whilst the Beeching Report recommended the closure of the Hope Valley Line and retention of the Woodhead Line, the government implemented the opposite.[10] This was followed by the goods service in 1981, due to the falloff in trans-Pennine coal traffic.[11] The track was lifted in 1986. There have been plans to reopen the railway at various times since it was closed, but none have gained planning approval.

Recreation

Cycling and walking

File:Longdendale4633.JPG
Walking and riding on the Longdendale Trail, March 2008

After the railway line was closed, the trackbed was taken up and the Longdendale Trail was constructed along its route. It is now part of the Trans-Pennine Trail and Sustrans' National Cycle Route 62[12] which, in turn, is part of the Script error: No such module "convert". European walking route E8 from Liverpool to Istanbul.

Holme Moss and the Woodhead Pass were on the route of the 2014 Tour de France, during the second stage between York and Sheffield.[13]

The Pennine Way crosses Longdendale, descending from Bleaklow to the south and ascending Black Hill to the north. The youth hostel at Crowden is a traditional stop after the first day's walk from Edale. The circular walk known as 'The Longdendale Edges' takes in the high ground (at about the Script error: No such module "convert". level) on both sides of the valley. It is about Script error: No such module "convert". long and is 'not recommended in doubtful weather'. The detailed route, clockwise from Crowden Youth Hostel, is given in Peak District Walking Guide No.2, published by the Peak Park Planning Board.

Sailing

Torside Reservoir is home to Glossop Sailing Club.[14]

Transport

Woodhead pass road

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The M67 motorway starts at junction 24 of the M60 at Denton and heads east where it terminates at Mottram in Longdendale. There were plans in the 1960s to extend it through the National Park to the M1 motorway and Sheffield,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". but it was never built. From here, the A628 runs through the valley to join the A616.

The Woodhead Pass is a major freight route and is often congested, which has created traffic problems at its western end. The Mottram to Tintwistle by-pass is intended to relieve the congestion;[15] work began to build the by-pass in 2024 and it is scheduled to be completed by 2028.[16]

Governance

Script error: No such module "about". The valley gave its name to the Longdendale Urban District, which covered the western part of the valley around Mottram and Hollingworth. That district was created in 1936, as one of the districts of Cheshire, and was abolished in 1974 when its area became part of the metropolitan borough of Tameside, in Greater Manchester.[17][18]

Traditionally, Longdendale was in the County palatine of Chester. Up until local government reforms in 1974, Longdendale Urban District, along with Tintwistle Rural District, formed part of the administrative county of Cheshire; the Municipal Borough of Glossop was in Derbyshire; and Penistone Rural District was in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Today, the valley is split between the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, the Borough of High Peak in Derbyshire, and the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside in Greater Manchester.

Longdendale lights

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The valley and the surrounding area has a reputation for strange phenomena, including unexplained lights[19][20] and allegedly supernatural apparitions and has become a centre of attention for UFO and ghost hunters.[21] However, it has been suggested that the lights may be earth lights produced by pressure on the underlying rocks.[19]

See also

References

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  18. ↑ Template:Cite legislation UK
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  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Further reading

  • Middleton, Thomas (1906). Legends of Longdendale. Clarendon Press.

External links

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