Fred Perry Way

Gtr Manchester

The Fred Perry Way spans Stockport Borough, from Woodford in the south to Reddish in the north, combining rural footpaths, quiet lanes and river valleys with urban landscapes and park lands.

Fred Perry is one of Stockport's most famous sons and was born in Portwood in 1909. He won the men's singles in 1934, 1935 and 1936. Fred Perry was also a member of Britain's winning Davis Cup team from 1933 to 1936. He was made a freeman of Stockport in 1934. The route passes through Woodbank Park where it passes around the King George's Field and running track. It is here in Woodbank Park that Fred Perry played some showcase games of tennis in the park's tennis courts.

Interesting features of the route include Houldsworth Mill and Square, the start of the River Mersey at the confluence of the River Tame and River Goyt, Stockport Town Centre, Vernon and Woodbank Parks and the Happy Valley.

A route map is available from the website below.

Developed with NHS support to encourage walking, the route is predominantly urban, particularly to the north of the town and does not pass Fred Perry's house in Portwood. It follows roads and small parks through some of the most built-up areas of Stockport (North & South Reddish).

For the long distance walker it may be useful as a link route. The Fred Perry Way provides a link between the Bollin Valley Way (and through that, the North Cheshire Way) and, via a short link between Mottram & Woodford, the Tame Valley Way and Etherow Goyt Valley Way at Stockport. A full crossing of historical North Cheshire could be devised, linking Black Hill & Crowden on the Pennine Way with Hilbre Island, utilising also the Wirral Way/Wirral Shore Way.

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Waymark:	Blue named signs with tennis player silhouette
Attributes:	Easy River Urban Sport
Start:	SJ880822 - Woodford, Stockport, Gtr Manchester
Finish:	SJ896944 - North Reddish Park, Reddish, Stockport, Gtr Manchester
Open Date:	2002
Web Sites:	Stockport MBC - Fred Perry Way

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