What you should do though is visit the little history centre/museum inside the church. They have lots of interesting bits and bobs including lots of old photos -filed by locations in and around Stockport. I found my Dad in an old school photo from the late 1950s which was wonderful.
There are also lots of other museums/history centres in Stockport so there is lots to do. The market isn't what it was in its heyday......
If you're intending to visit the "history centre/museum" in the church, check the opening hours before you go - its not open every day. As for other museums etc. Staircase house, about 50 yards away, is worth a visit and there are the air raid shelters on Chestergate (about a quarter of a mile away - mostly vertical!). Unless you've really nothing better to do, or simply want to see the magnificent Blue John window, one to avoid is the original museum in Vernon Park. Most of what it originally had is now at Staircase House and what's left is in a dark and damp cellar.
Further afield, you have Bramall Hall - which featured in the recent mini-series "Last Tango in Halifax" as did Stockport Market Place (the car crash). Also nearby, you have a couple of National Trust properties i.e. Lyme Hall/Park - "Pride and Prejudice" with Mr Darcey's much talked about lake scene - and Quarry Bank Mill and the Apprentice house.
The market isn't a patch on what it was in its heyday but where is? I remember when it used to stretch up the hill past the church almost as far as the old rectory but nowadays they don't even bother closing the road.
Where did your dad go to school Milly? They have a couple of school photos of mine in there ......
