Wilmslow Facts

The Basics

Here are a few basic facts:

• Wilmslow is 10 miles due south of Manchester city centre
• It is 3 miles from Manchester Airport
• It's situated at the top right hand side of the county of Cheshire
• It is in the Cheshire East local authority area
• Before the creation of Cheshire East, Wilmslow was in the borough of Macclesfield
• Google Maps incorrectly believe that Wilmslow is in Stockport - the citizens of Wilmslow have fought 2 campaingns over the years to stay in Cheshire and out of Stockport
• Geographically it's located in the Cheshire Plain
• Geologically it's located in the Cheshire Basin
• The town's population is 30,000 (figure depends upon what you consider is the extent of Wilmslow)
• Another 8,000 people live in the immediately surrounding area, including Alderley Edge
• The population is slowly increasing

Where Is It?

• Click here for Wilmslow maps
• Click here to plan a journey to Wilmslow

Famous Residents

Wilmslow is currently noted for the number of TV stars, footballers and so on that live here and in the surrounding area. Famous residents include William Roache, Stuart Hall and, although I've not seen any of them in Grove St, Alex Ferguson, Kerry Katona and Russell Watson.

Wilmslow was once the home of Bruce Forsyth's great grandfather.

The most notable person to live in Wilmslow was Alan Turing. He was involved in the development of early computers and their use in codebreaking during World War 2. Turing lived on Adlington Road and indeed died there when he committed suicide.

• Another notable ex "resident" was the Rev George Bramwell Evans aka "Romany".

Miscellany

• Wilmslow is also notable for the high number of pubs, performance car dealers and hair salons.
• That's it really - if you have any suggestions for other famous people not mentioned above (& not politicians!) then let me know.
• The town motto is supposedly "Nobis Habitatio Felix" which in English is apparently "A Pleasant Dwelling Place For Us". I have never seen it used in any official and/or public place.
• This is supposedly the town's crest; I found it on an old postcard but have never seen it elsewhere:

Click here for info on finding people & companies.

Some History

• The origin of the name "Wilmslow" is uncertain; the most popular theory is that it is named after the burial place of someone called William - possibly William de Bolyn - a "low" being an old name for a burial mound. Some sources say that Wilmsow was originally called "Le Bolyn" because it was near to the River Bollin
• Until the end of the last century "Wilmslow" was just the area around the church, first recorded around 1300. In 1894 the ancient parishes of Styal, Stanilands, Morley, Fulshaw, Chorley, Hough and Dean Row were officially agglomerated into what you might call "Greater Wilmslow". Since then it has grown through local government reorganisations to include Alderley Edge and additional small areas.
• Wilmslow's population 100 years ago was about 7,000 people. Compare that with the figure above. Remember that Wilmslow was a smaller area then.
• Many years ago Wilmslow was a major centre of fustian cutting.