Walkden is a town in the borough of Salford, Greater Manchester. When considered as part of the local ward with neighbouring towns Walden South, Walden North and Little Hulton, the area has a population of 35,616 people. Walkden occupies an area which is both natural and built-up, sitting just 7 miles from Manchester city centre and 6 miles from Salford itself.
Average local house prices in Walkden at the time of writing were £189,884, up 4% on the previous year. The majority of sales in Walkden during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £191,446. Terraced properties sold for an average of £140,601, with detached properties selling for around £311,105.
At one time Walkden was the centre for coaling mines and textile manufacturing, with Walkden moor offering up a series of shafts into the coal collieries. Walkden Yard was built in 1878 as an industrial hub to provide support and servicing to the coal mines, and was at one time a hub of activity. In 1986 the yard ceased its mining operations and was instead turned into housing.
The name Walkden derives from the Old English denu, a valley, belonging to a man possibly called Wealca which was a personal name.
Walkden’s local Ellesmere Centre shopping precinct opened in 2010 in a major redevelopment of the old Ellesmere Centre which was built in the late 1960s to replace the old shopping centre and market hall. This forms part of the centre of the town, which incorporates a market square and several local businesses including commerical stores and independent stores.
Blackleach Country Park covers 50 hectares near to the town centre, and has earned a green flag award. The site is a designated local nature reserve. The reservoir was originally used by factories though it was reclaimed and restored after a community campaign.
Local Authority: https://www.salford.gov.uk