{{Short description|Area of Greater Manchester, England}} {{Use British English|date=November 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox UK place | country = England | coordinates = {{coord|53.5372|-2.1878|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Alkrington Garden Village | local_name = | population = | metropolitan_borough = Rochdale | metropolitan_county = Greater Manchester | region = North West England | constituency_westminster = Blackley and Middleton south | post_town = MANCHESTER | postcode_district = M24 | postcode_area = M | dial_code = 0161 | os_grid_reference = SD875045 | static_image_name = Alkrington Hall.jpg | static_image_caption = Alkrington Hall }}
'''Alkrington Garden Village''' is a suburban area of Middleton, in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England.<ref name="Alk Mid Guard">{{cite web|url=http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/neighbourhood/alkrington/|title=Alkrington|publisher=Middleton Guardian|date=23 May 2005|access-date=22 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928120123/http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/neighbourhood/alkrington/ |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="GM Gazetteer">{{cite web |url=http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Guides/Gazeteer/gazza.htm |title=Greater Manchester Gazetteer |publisher=Greater Manchester County Record Office |access-date=20 June 2007|at=Places names – A|archive-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718144214/http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Guides/Gazeteer/gazza.htm}}</ref>
Alkrington lies on the northern edge of the city of Manchester, with the suburb of Blackley directly to the south. The Local Government Act 1972 added Alkrington to the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale; though Alkrington is separated from the town of Rochdale by the rest of Middleton and rural land.
The "Woodside" district of Alkrington is home to a number of affluent properties with Woodfield Road, Middleton's most expensive street, being located here.
==History== In 1212 the manor of Alkrington, consisting of four oxgangs of land, was held by Adam de Prestwich from the Montbegon fee. About 20 years later it passed to the de Lacys, and subsequently to the Crown; but the manor continued to descend with the Prestwich family. In 1561 Sir Robert Langley gave the manor to his daughter Katherine who was married to Thomas Legh of Lyme and it was sold by the Leghs in 1627 to Robert and John Lever. Sir Darcy Lever was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1736. Sir Ashton Lever, who was high sheriff in 1771, collected curiosities which he exhibited at Alkrington Hall. He was succeeded by his brother whose younger son, John, lived at Alkrington until 1834 and then to Dorning Rasbotham who sold it to John Lees.<ref name ="VCH" />
Historically a part of Lancashire, in the Middle Ages Alkrington was a township<ref>{{citation |title=Alkrington Township Boundariesl |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Alkrington/ParishMap.shtml |publisher=GenUKI |access-date=28 August 2012}}</ref> in the parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham in the hundred of Salford.<ref name="GM Gazetteer" /><ref name ="VCH">{{citation |editor1-last=Farrer |editor1-first=William |editor2-last=Brownbill |editor2-first=J |title=Alkrington|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53004 |work=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5 |publisher=British History Online |pages=82–85 |year=1911 |access-date=1 June 2012}}</ref> Once rolling farmland, in 1866 Alkrington became a separate civil parish, in 1886 Alkrington was added to the Municipal Borough of Middleton,<ref name="GM Gazetteer" /> and developed into a residential area.<ref name="Alk Mid Guard" /> On 31 December 1894, the parish was abolished and merged with Middleton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10331330|title=Relationships and changes Alkrington CP/Tn through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=15 November 2024}}</ref> In 1891 the parish had a population of 446.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10331330/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Alkrington CP/Tn through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=15 November 2024}}</ref>
===Alkrington Hall=== The Grade II* listed Alkrington Hall was converted into flats, however, it is now two separate dwellings. It was built between 1735–36 to the designs of Giacomo Leoni for Darcy Lever. The three-storey house is mainly brick built with ashlar dressings and tile and slate roofs. Its Classical style facade has nine bays with single-storey three-bay wings either side. The central three bays project slightly and have giant Ionic pilasters above the rusticated stone ground floor.<ref name="EH">{{NHLE|desc=Middleton Alkrington Hall |num=1068499 |access-date=1 June 2012}}</ref>
The woodland around Alkrington Hall comprises 125 acres (50 ha) and is a designated Local Nature Reserve, Alkrington Woods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&N=alkrington&ID=6 |title=Alkrington Woods |series=Local Nature Reserves |publisher=Natural England |access-date=4 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=lnrIndex&query=REF_CODE%3D%271008745%27 |title=Map of Alkrington Woods |series=Local Nature Reserves |publisher=Natural England |access-date=4 August 2013}}</ref>
The remains of an earlier hall can be seen on the site.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}} The manor of Alkrington was bought by the Lever family in the 1600s but when the last family member died childless the estate and present hall were sold. The new owners sold on most of the land and the hall came into the possession of the local council who converted it to flats. The hall was later resold into private hands and converted into four luxury homes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.middletonia.co.uk/peopleandplaces/alkringtonhall.html |title=Middleton Places – Alkrington Hall |publisher=Middletonia |access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref>
==Geography== {{further|Geography of Greater Manchester}} The area of Alkrington township was {{convert|797|acres}}. The underlying geology is that of the Lancashire Coalfield. The highest ground, {{convert|350|feet}} above sea level in the south-east and north east but mostly above {{convert|300|feet}}, slopes downwards to the boundary brooks in the south west. The main road that serves Alkrington is the A664 from Manchester via Blackley to Middleton. Junction 20 of the M60 motorway is to the south-west.<ref name="VCH" />
{{Geographic location |title = '''Neighbouring estates, areas and places''' |Northwest = Langley |North = Middleton |Northeast = Boarshaw |West = Rhodes |Centre = Alkrington |East = Chadderton |Southwest = Higher Blackley |South = Dam Head |Southeast = Moston }}
==Religion== There are three churches within the old township area. The Anglican Church of St Michael was founded in 1839,<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Alkrington/StMichael.shtml |title= St Michael, Alkrington – Church of England |publisher= GenUKI |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> a Congregational church was built in 1929<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Alkrington/ManchesterNewRoadCongregational.shtml |title=Manchester New Road Congregational, Alkrington |publisher=GenUKI |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref> and the Roman Catholic St Thomas More Church was built in 1960.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Alkrington/StThomasMore.shtml |title=St Thomas More, Alkrington – Roman Catholic |publisher=GenUKI |access-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>
==Notable people== * Steve Coogan, comedian, was born and brought up in Alkrington.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/middletonguardian/news/s/1019353_soccer_star_parents_in_robbery_terror |title=Soccer star parents in robbery terror |publisher=M.E.N. Media |access-date=16 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412113755/http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/news/s/1019353_soccer_star_parents_in_robbery_terror |archive-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=live|last=Kenny|first=Laura|date=11 October 2007|work=Middleton Guardian}}</ref> * Liam Fray, lead singer of The Courteeners, was born and brought up in Alkrington.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bardsley |first=Andrew |date=28 August 2017 |title=The real life inspiration behind some of Manchester's best-loved songs |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/manchester-bands-song-lyrics-inspiration-13537337 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref> * Brian Kidd, former Manchester United and Manchester City footballer, resides in Alkrington.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=21 May 2005 |title=Get well soon, Kiddo |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/get-well-soon-kiddo-1110710 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref> * Bernard Manning (1930–2007), comedian and nightclub owner, lived in the area for more than 20 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manning was no racist, says Asian neighbour |url=http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/news/s/229/229637_manning_was_no_racist_says_asian_neighbour.html |publisher=Middleton Guardian |access-date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928120020/http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/news/s/229/229637_manning_was_no_racist_says_asian_neighbour.html |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> * Nedum Onuoha, former Manchester City footballer, owns a home in the area.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} * Lady Mary Peters, Olympian athlete, brought up in Alkrington.<ref>''Belfast Telegraph'', 4 April 1961, p. 13</ref><ref>''Manchester Evening News'', 1 June 1964, p. 8</ref> * Ashley Ward, former Manchester City footballer, was born and brought up in Alkrington.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bourne |first=Dianne |date=16 June 2018 |title=Fitter at 47 than when I was a footballer! Ashley Ward on his muscular makeover |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/ashley-ward-footballer-real-housewives-14787232 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref>
==Transport== {{As of|2024}}, several bus services serve Alkrington, including: * 17: Norden to Shudehill Interchange via Rochdale. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. * 17A: Rochdale to Shudehill Interchange. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. * 18: Langley to Manchester Royal Infirmary. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. Some services terminate at Shudehill Interchange instead of Manchester Royal Infirmary. * 41: Middleton to Sale Metrolink tram stop. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. Some services terminate at North Manchester General Hospital instead of Middleton. * 114: Boarshaw to Piccadilly Gardens. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. Most services terminate at Alkrington, Lincoln Road instead of Boarshaw. * 115: Middleton - Moston - Harpurhey - Higher Blackley Circular. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. * 116: Middleton - Higher Blackley - Harpurhey - Moston Circular. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network. * 159: Oldham to Middleton via Chadderton. This service is operated by Diamond Bus under the Bee Network. * 163: Bury Interchange to Piccadilly Gardens. This service is operated by Go North West as part of the Bee Network. * 415: Middleton to Oldham via Chadderton. This service is operated by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network.
==See also== {{portal-inline|Greater Manchester}} *Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester *Listed buildings in Middleton, Greater Manchester
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Areas of Greater Manchester Category:Former civil parishes in Greater Manchester Category:Middleton, Greater Manchester Category:Local nature reserves in Greater Manchester