Stockport has been the scene of human activity since the Stone Age. The 240 million year old red sandstone outcrop, on which now stands Stockport Market once overlooked and guarded a strategic ford across the River Mersey used by the Romans.

There are references to the town and Stockport Castle in 1172. The Castle stood in the Market Place until 1775, when it was levelled to make way for a factory before becoming an attractive location for market stalls.

In the Middle Ages, 1220, the Borough Charter was granted to Sir Robert de Stokeport and proved to be the code of strong local government for more than 600 years. The oldest surviving copy of the Charter, dating back to 1530, can still be seen at Stockport Museum.

(The illustration shown is an artist's impression of how the castle may have looked).