cafe
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
Manchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.
9 km · about 15 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Ashton-under-Lyne works well as a base: 5 minutes from Denton, 16km from Snake Pass.
Ashton-under-Lyne is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 43,675, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Ashton-under-Lyne sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Ashton-under-Lyne to your route.
Ashton-under-Lyne, also known as Ashton, is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Its population was 48,604 at the 2021 census. Historically a part of Lancashire, it is located on the north bank of the river Tame, in the foothills of the Pennines and 6 miles (9.7 km) eastRead more
of Manchester.
Evidence of Stone Age, Bronze Age and Viking activity has been discovered in Ashton-under-Lyne. The "Ashton" part of the town's name probably dates from the Anglo-Saxon period, and derives from Old English meaning "settlement by ash trees". The origin of the "under-Lyne" suffix is less clear; it possibly derives from the Brittonic-originating word lemo meaning elm or from Ashton's proximity to the Pennines. In the Middle Ages, it was a parish and township and Ashton Old Hall was held by the de Asshetons, lords of the manor. The town became a market town from 1414, when the manor was granted a royal charter.
The introduction of the cotton trade in 1769 transformed Ashton both economically and geographically, with the town being replanned in a grid. The factory system and textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution triggered a process of unplanned urbanisation in the area and, by the mid-19th century, Ashton had emerged as an important mill town at a convergence of newly constructed canals and railways. Ashton-under-Lyne's transport network allowed for an economic boom in cotton spinning, weaving and coal mining, which led to the granting of municipal borough status in 1847. The population grew from 2,859 in 1775 to 34,886 in 1861, two-thirds of its modern-day size, as a direct result of this extensive industrialisation.
The town saw significant economic decline in the 1920s, with the majority of its mills closing due to insufficient exports. Nevertheless, the town has continued to thrive as a centre of commerce and Ashton Market is one of the largest outdoor markets in the United Kingdom. In response to high levels of unemployment and deprivation since the town's deindustrialisation, the town underwent extensive regeneration over the course of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Modelled on the nearby town of Hyde, this included both local infrastructure improvements and a focus on training and education. The bus and tram networks were integrated into a single hub which opened in 2020, with further plans to connect with the National Rail station as well.
A second wave of local regeneration has begun in the 2020s, with the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, designating the area as a Mayoral Development Zone and promising investment into housing, businesses and green space. Ashton Town Centre is now home to the Ashton Arcades shopping centre (opened 1995), a large IKEA store (opened 2006) and Ashton Market (reopened 2008), which was voted the best in the country in 2014. Further development of the outdoor market is continuing with the replacement of over 100 stalls by a canopied area with cabins and stalls.
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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Ashton-under-Lyne.
Ashton-under-Lyne offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Ashton-under-Lyne is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 53.4888 latitude, -2.0989 longitude.
Ashton-under-Lyne has a population of approximately 43,675 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
Manchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.
9 km · about 15 min drive
famous road
A twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
16 km · about 20 min drive
famous road
The Woodhead-era Telford road over the Pennines between Glossop and the Ladybower reservoirs, with fast curves and frequent winter closures.
16 km · about 30 min drive
mountain pass
The A628 trans-Pennine route over bleak moorland past the Woodhead reservoirs, frequently closed by snow and high winds.
16 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
17 km · about 20 min drive
film location
The lake at Lyme Park is where Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerges from the water in the BBC serial.
17 km · about 20 min drive
waterfall
The Peak's highest waterfall at 30m, famously blown back up the cliff as spray in a westerly wind.
17 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
A 524 m Pennine pass on the A6024 topped by a landmark transmitter mast, a celebrated cycling climb used in the 2014 Tour de France.
17 km · about 20 min drive
8 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
April to October
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