Gorton is a Town in the county of Greater Manchester.
Gorton, a district in east Manchester, has a rich industrial heritage and a strong sense of identity, shaped by its working-class roots and historical landmarks. Once a rural settlement, it expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, becoming home to mills, engineering works, and a growing population drawn to employment in Manchester’s booming industries. The area became particularly well known for its railway heritage, as it was home to the famous Gorton Tank locomotive works, which played a key role in Britain’s railway development.
One of Gorton’s most striking landmarks is Gorton Monastery, a magnificent 19th-century Franciscan church designed by Edward Welby Pugin. Often referred to as Manchester’s Taj Mahal, the monastery is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and has been restored as a cultural and events venue after falling into disrepair. Another significant historical site is Debdale Park, a large green space offering a welcome contrast to the surrounding urban environment. The park includes reservoirs that were originally part of Manchester’s water supply system and are now popular for walking, cycling, and water sports.
Despite economic challenges in the late 20th century, Gorton has seen regeneration efforts aimed at improving housing, public spaces, and community facilities. The area retains a strong local character, with markets, independent shops, and a deep-rooted sense of pride among residents. As Manchester continues to grow, Gorton remains an important part of the city’s history, blending its industrial past with efforts to create a thriving community for the future.
Gorton postcode: M18 8AW
There are great places to visit near Gorton including some great towns, hills, hiking areas, old mines, ancient sites, round cairns, ruins, historic sites, lakes, historic monuments, rivers and streams, woodlands, geological features, historic buildings, nature reserves, villages, country parks, waterfalls, events, bluebell woods, sssis, parks, shopping centres, gardens, canals, cities, museums, disused railway lines, moated sites and airports.
There are a number of towns near Gorton including Bolton, Westhoughton, Horwich, Little Lever, Salford Quays, Rochdale, and Littleborough.
Don't miss Winter Hill, Winter Hill Summit, Adam Hill, Crooked Edge Hill, Whimberry Hill, The Great Knoll, and Burnt Edge's hills if visiting the area around Gorton.
There are a number of hiking areas near Gorton including Shaly Dingle, Winter Hill Summit, Hole Bottom, Hole Bottom Mining Area, Crooked Edge Hill, Whimberry Hill, and Burnt Edge.
Shaly Dingle, Winter Hill Mines, Winter Hill Tunnel, Rivington Moor Colliery (ruin), Rivington Moor Brickworks (ruin), Hole Bottom Mining Area, and Wildersmoor Pit Kilns (ruin) are great places to visit near Gorton if you like old mines.
There are a number of ancient sites near Gorton including Winter Hill Tumulus, White Brow Cairn, Noon Hill, Two Lads, Hanging Stone, Rivington Cup Marked Stone, and Rainsough Hill Camp.
Gorton's best nearby round cairns can be found at Winter Hill Tumulus, White Brow Cairn, and Noon Hill.
The area around Gorton boasts some of the best ruins including Rivington Moor Brickworks (ruin), Winter Hill Brick and Tile Works, Ouzel Hall (site of), Wildersmoor Pit Kilns (ruin), Prospect (ruin), Rivington Moor Bell Pits (ruin), and Burnt Edge Colliery (ruin).
There are a several good historic sites in the Gorton area like Hole Bottom, Winter Hill Brick and Tile Works, and Hole Bottom Mining Area.
Lakes to visit near Gorton include Reservoir Of Dean Mills, The Turton Reservoirs, Turton and Entwistle Reservoir, Jumbles Reservoir, Wayoh Reservoir, Rivington Lakes And Reservoirs, and Yarrow Reservoir.
There are a number of historic monuments near Gorton including Two Lads, Holy Well Spring, Bury Castle, Worsley Green Monument, and Hyde War Memorial.
Gorton has some unmissable rivers and streams nearby like Rushtons Brook, Holden's Brook, Stones Bank Brook, Cadshaw Brook, Roscow Clough, Dean Brook, and Raveden Brook.
The area around Gorton features a number of interesting woodlands including Fox Hill Plantation, Ousel Nest Quarry, Walker Fold Woods, Raveden Clough, Roscow's Tenement Clough, Dean Wood - Rivington, and Rivington Hall Wood.
Gorton has some unmissable geological features nearby like Jumbles Fossil Tree, Fairy Battery, The Margery Flags at Rivington Pike, Tigers Clough, and Jepsons Clough.
Historic Buildings to visit near Gorton include Bradshaw Brook Viaduct, Turton Tower, Prospect Tower, Archway at Turton Tower, Medieval Style Railway Bridge at Turton Tower, Smithills Hall, and Sheephouse Farm.
Nature Reserves to visit near Gorton include Ousel Nest Quarry, Doffcocker Lodge, Nob End SSSI, Leverhulme Park, Darcy Lever Gravel Pits, Aspull Sough, and Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve.
Villages to visit near Gorton include Cadshaw, Rivington, Barrow Bridge, Bromley Cross, Chapeltown, Darcy Lever, and Whelley.
There are a several good country parks in the Gorton area like Smithills Country Park, Moses Gate Country Park, Cutacre Country Park, Darcy Lever Gravel Pits, Hollingworth Country Park, Haigh Country Park, and Pennington Flash.
The area around Gorton boasts some of the best waterfalls including Roscow Clough Waterfall, Smithills Hall Park Waterfall, Langshaw Ford Weir, Raveden Clough Waterfall, Raveden Plantation Waterfall, Yarrow Reservoir Overflow Cascade, and Upper Rivington Reservoir Yarrow Outflow.
The area around Gorton's best events can be found at Rivington Pike Easter.
Bluebell Woods to visit near Gorton include Dean Wood - Rivington, Rivington Hall Wood, Horrocks Wood, Old House Ground Plantation, and Etherow Country Park.
Places near Gorton feature a number of interesting sssis including Nob End SSSI.
The area around Gorton boasts some of the best parks including Queens Park, Hall Lee Bank Park, Moss Bank Park, Wythenshawe Park and Gardens, Gorton Park, Debdale Park, and Heaton Park.
There are a number of shopping centres near Gorton including Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park, Manchester Christmas Markets, The Trafford Centre, and Manchester Arndale.
Don't miss The Rock Garden, The Walled Garden at Moss Bank, and RHS Garden Bridgewater's gardens if visiting the area around Gorton.
Canals to visit near Gorton include Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal at Prestolee, The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Haigh, Top Lock at Wigan, Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Crooke, The Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Shevington, Rochdale Canal Western Section, and Bridgewater Canal.
There are a number of cities near Gorton including Salford, and Manchester.
The area around Gorton features a number of interesting museums including Salford Museum and Art Gallery, The Imperial War Museum Salford, and Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green.
Gorton's best nearby disused railway lines can be found at The Old Whelley Line, Lancashire Union Joint Line, Ringley Road Station (ruin), Clifton - Accrington and Colne Line (disused), and Linnyshaw Loopline.
The area close to Gorton boasts some of the best moated sites including Wigan Golf Club.
Manchester Airport is one of Gorton's best, nearby airports to visit in Gorton.
Gorton History
There are some historic monuments around Gorton:
