Chadderton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham,
in Greater Manchester, England. It lies along the course of the
River Irk and the Rochdale Canal, on undulating land at the
foothills of the Pennines, 1 mile west of Oldham, 4.5 miles
south of Rochdale, and 6 miles northeast of the city of
Manchester. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population
of 33,001.
Historically a part of Lancashire, Chadderton during the Middle Ages was chiefly distinguished by its two ancient mansions, Foxdenton Hall and Chadderton Hall, and by the prestigious families who occupied them. Chadderton's early history is marked by its status as a manorial township, with its own line of lords. It developed independently of its now larger neighbours, and was of importance both regionally and nationally by way of contributing six High Sheriffs of Lancashire, and a Governor of the Isle of Man. Chadderton was anciently governed by its own lords and overlords, who included the Asshetons, Chethams, Radcylffes, and Traffords, the latter of whom changed their surname to Chadderton.
Chadderton's urbanisation and expansion largely coincided with developments in textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era. As the result of a late-19th century factory building boom, Chadderton was transformed from a rural township into a major mill town - one of several in its immediate region - and the second most populous urban district in the United Kingdom. By the First World War, the success of the local cotton spinning sector had resulted in a densely populated landscape occupied by over 50 cotton mills.
Although Chadderton's industries declined during the mid-20th century, the town has continued to grow as a result of suburbanisation and urban renewal. The legacy of Chadderton's industrial past is marked by its landscape of surviving red brick cotton mills, now used as warehouses or distribution centres, some of which are listed buildings because of their special architectural, historical and cultural significance.
Historically a part of Lancashire, Chadderton during the Middle Ages was chiefly distinguished by its two ancient mansions, Foxdenton Hall and Chadderton Hall, and by the prestigious families who occupied them. Chadderton's early history is marked by its status as a manorial township, with its own line of lords. It developed independently of its now larger neighbours, and was of importance both regionally and nationally by way of contributing six High Sheriffs of Lancashire, and a Governor of the Isle of Man. Chadderton was anciently governed by its own lords and overlords, who included the Asshetons, Chethams, Radcylffes, and Traffords, the latter of whom changed their surname to Chadderton.
Chadderton's urbanisation and expansion largely coincided with developments in textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era. As the result of a late-19th century factory building boom, Chadderton was transformed from a rural township into a major mill town - one of several in its immediate region - and the second most populous urban district in the United Kingdom. By the First World War, the success of the local cotton spinning sector had resulted in a densely populated landscape occupied by over 50 cotton mills.
Although Chadderton's industries declined during the mid-20th century, the town has continued to grow as a result of suburbanisation and urban renewal. The legacy of Chadderton's industrial past is marked by its landscape of surviving red brick cotton mills, now used as warehouses or distribution centres, some of which are listed buildings because of their special architectural, historical and cultural significance.
Chadderton