History of Alderley Edge

Alderley Edge is truly a place of two halves, the Edge is an area of stunning woodland, overlooking the Cheshire Plain. It attracts a great number of visitors to the area, drawn to the long walks and fresh air.

Beneath this lies the village, boasting a range of traditional shops which, in recent years, have had to compete with new designer boutiques, high end restaurants and luxury apartment blocks in the town centre.

The name Alderley is derived from 'Aldredelie', as it appears in 1086 and is said to come from 'Aldred 'and 'leah' meaning 'Aldred's Clearing'. Prior to this, it was known as 'Chorlegh', and later Chorley and there is written evidence of this area as early as the 13th century.

Confusion with Chorley, Lancashire, led to the railway station being renamed Alderley Edge Station.  To this day, the name Chorley is still used by the civil parish North West of Alderley Edge.

Throughout the 13th century and during the Middle Ages, the area was made up of estates held by different landowners. From the 15th century, the de Trafford family had come to acquire most of these estates.

The area has long has associations with legends and magic. This is still reflected in the area today, The Wizard Inn, the Wizard Well and The merlin pubs and restaurants all hint to the areas mystical past. The legend goes that a wizard and his warriors resided in the hillside amongst the Edge. Some even cite the wizard as Merlin himself and the warriors as King Arthur’s Knights.  Nearby Wizard Wood is said to have been the meeting place for witches each halloween to perform strange rituals and dance about naked.

Population: 4,409.