a market-town of England, in Lancashire, on both sides of the Tame, 8 miles E. by N. of Manchester, and 185 N.W. by N. of London. It is built on ground which slopes down to each side of the river, and consists of three principal streets, one of which is old and somewhat irregular; while the others are straight and regular, lined, for the most part, with brick-houses two storeys high. As the town is almost entirely modern, and owes its importance chiefly to the cotton manufacture, there are few buildings of much interest or antiquity; the oldest of them being an octagonal church, which occupies a prominent position on a rock overhanging the river. There is also a market-house, which was built in 1832, at a great expense. Besides the Established church, various sects of Methodists, the Independents, Baptists, and Roman Catholics have places of worship here. There are several schools, a mechanics' institute, and a savings bank. The town contains nineteen establishments for spinning cotton-yarn and weaving calicoes, which employ in all about 9500 hands; some of the single factories being very large, and employing from 1000 to 1500. Woollen cloth is also made at Staleybridge, and there are brass and iron foundries, brick-works, collieries, and quarries. Markets are held weekly, and fairs twice a year. Pop. 20,760.