Guidepost

The Guidepost, located on Edward Street and also known as Wellington Road South, is an early to mid-20th century cast-iron guidepost manufactured by the Stanton Ironworks Company of Ilkeston, Derbyshire. It features a cylindrical post with four fingers and an annular finial that displays the words "County Borough of Stockport."

Two of the fingers point north and south along the A6 (Wellington Road South), with the southern finger indicating distances to London (182 ½ miles), Hazel Grove (2 ½ miles), Macclesfield (12 ½ miles), and Buxton (18 miles). The northern finger lists distances to Carlisle (118 ½ miles) and Manchester (6 ½ miles). The other two fingers direct traffic north-east along Edward Street (to Marple at 4 miles and Hyde at 5 ½ miles) and south-west along Greek Street (to Cheadle at 2 ¾ miles, Altrincham at 9 miles, and Chester at 39 miles).

This guidepost is believed to date from the early to mid-20th century, following Stockport's designation as a County Borough in 1888, and is likely from the time around the opening of the adjacent Town Hall in 1908.

The guidepost is designated at Grade II due to its intact and unaltered condition, representing an early to mid-20th century example of municipal design. It occupies a prominent position within the Town Hall Conservation Area, standing next to the Grade II Town Hall and in close proximity to several significant structures, including four Corinthian capitals, the former Stockport Infirmary, the Grade II War Memorial Art Gallery, and the shelters on Wellington Road South and Greek Street. This guidepost reflects the civic pride of the late 19th century County Borough of Stockport, marking a direct route to London in the south and Carlisle in the north.