Ashton-Under-Lyne

Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in Greater Manchester with a population of 50,000. Formerly part of Lancashire, the town is situated on the north bank of the River Tame at the foothills of the Pennines, making it a popular stop for walkers and rambling clubs. Evidence of human activity has been found in the area dating to as far back as the Stone Age. The name of the town is derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase "settlement by ash trees". 

Ashton, as it is commonly known, was largely disregarded as a barren and wet landscape with no purpose until the Industrial Revolution at which point textile manufacture became its main industry. A network of mills and canals developed around the resultant growth, which now make it a very pleasant and much more accessible place to visit. Since the decline of industry, Ashton has become a prominent centre for commerce in the region and features a 19th-century market hall as well as one of the largest outdoor markets in the country. The town also features numerous historic landmarks including the grand Stamford Park which opened in 1873 after 17 years fundraising and campaigns by the town's inhabitants.