The Secrets of Cheadle
11am Sunday 29 March 2026, 10am Saturday 17 October
£20, under 12s free
This tour looks at the fascinating and entertaining history of Cheadle and the many personalities associated with the suburb. There are surprises around every corner.
Cheadle has several celebrity links including those with Agatha Christie. This involves the story of Abney Hall and Abney Hall Park and the remarkable Watts family. Prince Albert visited the hall in 1857 while other visitors included Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, novelist EM Forster and even King Edward VII. Agatha Christie often stayed in the hall and during the tour a charming passage about Abney is read from ‘The Tale of The Christmas Pudding’.
We’ll take a walk down Mill Lane and over Micker Brook to the former Barnes Hospital now splendidly restored as private apartments. This Victorian Gothic building with its tall tower was designed as a convalescent hospital by Lawrence Booth. Of course, it’s supposed to be haunted and provided a suitable location for some of Jorge Grau’s crazy 1974 Zombie movie ‘The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue’.
Guests can turn up and pay on the day but please check the website 24 hours before the start date.
Meet: Outside St Mary's Church, High Street, Cheadle. SK8 1PX
Finish: We finish at the start location.
Cheadle has several celebrity links including those with Agatha Christie. This involves the story of Abney Hall and Abney Hall Park and the remarkable Watts family. Prince Albert visited the hall in 1857 while other visitors included Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, novelist EM Forster and even King Edward VII. Agatha Christie often stayed in the hall and during the tour a charming passage about Abney is read from ‘The Tale of The Christmas Pudding’.
We’ll take a walk down Mill Lane and over Micker Brook to the former Barnes Hospital now splendidly restored as private apartments. This Victorian Gothic building with its tall tower was designed as a convalescent hospital by Lawrence Booth. Of course, it’s supposed to be haunted and provided a suitable location for some of Jorge Grau’s crazy 1974 Zombie movie ‘The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue’.
Guests can turn up and pay on the day but please check the website 24 hours before the start date.
Meet: Outside St Mary's Church, High Street, Cheadle. SK8 1PX
Finish: We finish at the start location.