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| The Cheshire area of the Peak District is somewhat cut off from the rest of the Peak by the high ridge above the Goyt Valley, surmounted by Shining Tor and the Cat and Fiddle Inn. The angle of the underlying strata is tilted much more steeply than on the east side, so the ground slopes down relatively quickly to the Cheshire Plain, with most paths converging on Macclesfield, an ancient market town which received its charter in the 13th century.
Macclesfield was once the centre of Silk manufacture in this country and the town is full of 19th century brick-built silk mills - all now converted to other uses since the industry has now shrunk to nothing. However, from the late 18th century for 150 years the town grew very prosperous on the back of this industry. The only modern reminder is the Silk Mill on Churchill Way - one of the finest of the old mills which has been converted into a very interesting museum.
Now Macclesfield's main industries are pharmaceuticals and computer software and the town is very prosperous, with a bustling shopping centre and business area. |
