| Altrincham | |
|---|---|
Altrincham Town Centre | |
  Altrincham Location within Greater Manchester | |
| Population | 52,419 (2011) |
| • Density | 10,272/sq mi (3,966/km2) |
| OS grid reference | SJ765875 |
| • London | 161 mi (259 km) SE |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ALTRINCHAM |
| Postcode district | WA14, WA15 |
| Dialling code | 0161 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | |
Altrincham (/ˈɒltrɪŋəm/ OL-tring-əm, locally /ˈɒltrɪŋɡəm/[1]) is a market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, south of the River Mersey. It is 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Manchester, 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Sale and 10 miles (16 km) east of Warrington. At the 2011 census, it had a population of 52,419.[2]
Within the boundaries of the historic county of Cheshire, Altrincham was established as a market town in 1290, a time when the economy of most communities was based on agriculture rather than trade, and there is still a market in the town. Further socioeconomic development came with the extension of the Bridgewater Canal to Altrincham in 1765 and the arrival of the railway in 1849, stimulating industrial activity in the town. Outlying villages were absorbed by Altrincham's subsequent growth, along with the grounds of Dunham Massey Hall, formerly the home of the Earl of Stamford, and now a tourist attraction with three Grade I Listed Buildings and a deer park.
Altrincham has good transport links to Manchester, Sale, Stretford, Warrington and Stockport among other destinations. The town has a strong middle-class presence: there has been a steady increase in Altrincham's middle classes since the 19th century. It is also home to Altrincham F.C. and three ice hockey clubs: Manchester Storm, Altrincham Aces and Trafford Tornados.
- ^ Note that neither of these pronunciations includes the sound /tʃ/ suggested by the spelling.
- ^ "Town population 2011". Retrieved 8 January 2016.