Disley Guide 2017

LThere are a number of local places of interest in
Disley as well as many listed buildings. The centre
of the village and parts of Higher Disley have
been designated as conservation areas so that any
changes have to be in keeping with the appearance
and character of the area.
The Ram’s Head in the centre of the village
is said to have been established in the mid 17th
century as a coaching inn. The present building
dates from 1840-41 when it was an important inn
on the route between Manchester and Buxton.
Some of the extensive stabling is still to be seen
at the side of the car-park. In front of the building,
there is a mounting block to help riders get into
the saddle or even into or out of the coach.
The Fountain, standing in the centre of
Fountain Square, was presented to the village by
the Orford family in 1834. Water was collected
from the hillside near the parish church and piped
into the fountain, where it was stored in a lead
tank at the top. The three arm bracket light fitting
was added in 1999, replacing an earlier light, as
a permanent memorial to the Millennium. Just
outside the railings, surrounding the fountain is a
late 19th century milestone giving the distances to
Stockport and Manchester.
In the village centre there are also two buildings
from the mid 19th century, No.5 Market Street,
which dates from 1824 and across the road No.6,
which dates from 1842.
ocal Places of Interest
Further along, towards Newtown, is the Dandy
Cock which is one of several public houses that
existed in the 19th century. Originally its main
entrance faced Hollinwood Road, but the building
was turned around when the present main road
was constructed in the early part of the 19th
century.
In Higher Disley, Disley Hall, on Corks Lane, is
believed to be on the site of the original settlement
in the area. The building itself has been altered with
the passage of time, but it still retains a sturdiness
that is characteristic of many such former farming
buildings.
Another reminder of the agricultural origins
of the village can be seen at Stanley Hall Farm
Barn on the golf course. The barn is probably
late medieval and still retains its cruck framed
construction.
The Bowstones are two upright stones on the
highest part of the moorland above Lyme Park.
The origin of these two stones is unknown but it
has been suggested that they might have had some
religious significance.
In Lyme Hall itself, there are two Anglo-Saxon
Crosses which were found near the parish church.
In the churchyard there is a stone block in which
there are two holes which is believed to be the
base of the crosses.
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