Compare car hire in Stockport, England

Car Hire in Stockport

Just seven miles southeast of Manchester city centre, Stockport marks the point where the River Goyt and Thames merge to create the River Mersey. Unlike Liverpool, however, which built its fortunes on the Mersey, the river was never navigable at Stockport so the town’s development waited largely until the Industrial Revolution.

It was silk, hat making and cotton that transformed a small town into a big player. The last hat factory closed in 1997 but at its height in the 19th century Stockport was exporting more than six million hats a year. Visitors to Stockport today can learn all about its illustrious hat making heritage in the fascinating Hat Works museum, which is atmospherically housed in Wellington Mill, a former hat factory.

Plans are afoot to regenerate Stockport in the same way that its larger neighbour Manchester was revitalised by urban redevelopment. Many of the old factories and mills are being developed into apartments, leisure facilities and retail areas.

Yet, much of Stockport’s industrial heritage still remains. If you hire a car in Stockport and return to the city from the west you cannot fail but notice the huge Stockport Viaduct. Built in 1840, the viaduct's 27 brick arches still carry the mainline railways from Manchester to Birmingham and London over the River Mersey. This huge structure fascinated the archetypal painter of northern English industrial scenes, L. S. Lowry, and can be seen as the background to many of his paintings.

Stockport is conveniently located for exploring Manchester, Warrington and the Peak District. Expedia can arrange car hire in Stockport for you – and help you take advantage of some great deals on your car hire.

Cheap Car Hire in Stockport

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If you have arrived on train you may have just crossed the viaduct that dominates the west of the town. It is possible to arrange car hire from near Stockport Railway Station or from other locations in the town.

What’s more, if you are not returning to Stockport you can arrange online to return your car to another UK location.

Types of car available for hire in Stockport include economical mini-class cars, stylish executive cars and spacious SUVs.

Simply plug your dates into our search engine and you can filter the results by price, car type or location. Nothing could be easier.

Sightseeing in Stockport

Before heading off on the M60 or the M56 take some time to explore some of Stockport’s many attractions.

History lovers can recreate the experience of the Home Front’s Second World War at the Stockport Air Raid Shelters, which bring this fascinating era of history alive from their location in the underground tunnels dug in the Second World War to protect Stockport’s inhabitants. In Staircase House, a Grade II-listed medieval town house you can explore more eras of local history in the Stockport Story Museum.

There are few more atmospheric venues to take in a theatrical production than the unique Plaza, a Grade II-listed Super Cinema and Variety Theatre built in 1932. It is the last venue of its kind operating in its original format, and you can really feel the history in its walls.

Car Rental in Stockport for Manchester

It’s the shortest of drives into the centre of Manchester, where you’ll find a potent concoction of contemporary cool and a rich history in its museums, galleries and art centres, not to mention a dining and nightlife scene that is infectiously hedonistic.

Car Rental in Stockport for Warrington

About 25 miles on the M56 heading east will bring you to Warrington. Here Warrington Museum and Art Gallery displays artefacts from around the world, Gulliver’s World offers families all the fun of the fair and a tranquil canal runs through Sankey Valley Park, with wildlife, paths and sculpture all waiting to be stumbled upon.

Car Rental in Stockport for the Peak District

A 30-minute drive on the A6 and you can trade industrial heritage for natural beauty as you head into the Peak District. Within its glorious hills ancient stone villages suddenly appear and there are as many stately homes as there are outcrops of granite. The Dark Peak of the north is all moorland, while the south’s White Peak is more welcoming limestone dales.

Founded in 1951, the Peak District was England's first national park and it is still Europe's busiest. But, with 555 square miles of unspoilt countryside to explore, you can still feel that you have the place to yourself.

Where Will Your Car Hire in Stockport Take You?

From industrial heritage you have travelled to contemporary cool and on into natural beauty – where will your car hire in Stockport take you next?