Brinksway Caves

Brinksway Caves, also known as Maggie's Caves, are a set of man-made caves carved into sandstone beside the River Mersey in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. They suit visitors who enjoy offbeat industrial and wartime history rather than ticketed attractions with a visitor centre.

What are the Brinksway Caves?

These are not natural caves. People dug them by cutting into sandstone that was eroding naturally on the Cheadle side of the river. The entrances sit along Brinksway, right beside the Mersey. The road takes its name from old English words for a road running along the edge of a slope.

Why "Maggie's"? The sources we found do not explain the nickname, so it remains a piece of local lore without a clear origin.

How old are they?

The workings go back at least to the 17th century, and 1670 is the date most often quoted. Who started digging is uncertain. Theories point to workers from a nearby corn mill or to men widening the river channel. Over time the network was enlarged and put to different uses.

What were they used for?

• 19th-century industry. The chambers served industrial purposes, which fits Stockport's identity as a town of mills and factories.
• Shelter for labourers. Before the war, navvies building Stockport's famous railway viaduct used them for shelter.
• Air-raid shelter. During the Second World War the caves became a public shelter. Brinksway was one of three in the town, alongside Chestergate and Dodge Hill, and could hold as many as 6,500 people during raids. The Stockport shelters were officially opened on 28 October 1939.

What are they like today?

Today the caves are not an official ticketed attraction, unlike the Chestergate shelter. They are occasionally used as informal shelter. Their position above the river has led to several accidents, so extra caution is essential. In the 1970s the main Stockport shelters could be entered, and members of a local caving club mapped them.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Brinksway Caves? On Brinksway in Stockport, beside the River Mersey, near coordinates 53.406 N, 2.18 W.

Are they natural caves? No. They are artificial workings cut into sandstone by people, most likely in the 17th century or earlier.

Can I visit them? They are not an open tourist attraction. If you want to see an air-raid shelter in Stockport, check beforehand which ones are officially open, and treat the riverside area with great care.

Why are they called Maggie's Caves? The origin of the name is unclear in the sources we know of.

What else is nearby? Stockport's railway viaduct and the town's other air-raid shelters, which together tell the industrial and wartime story of the area.