Clayton | |
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Clayton shown within Greater Manchester | |
Metropolitan borough | |
Metropolitan county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | MANCHESTER |
Postcode district | M11 |
Dialling code | 0161 |
Police | Greater Manchester |
Fire | Greater Manchester |
Ambulance | North West |
EU Parliament | North West England |
Clayton is a suburb of the city of Manchester in North West England. Historically in Lancashire, it is about 3 miles east of the city centre on Ashton New Road. Clayton takes its name from the Clayton family who owned large parts of land around the area, including Clayton Vale, through which the River Medlock flows (separating Clayton from Newton Heath). Clayton was under the township of Droylsden until around 1890 when alterations to the Manchester boundary took place. Other towns added to Manchester around this time were Blackley, Crumpsall, Moston, Openshaw and Gorton.
Between 1893 and 1910 Clayton was home to Manchester United F.C., and their precursor club Newton Heath L&YR F.C., after Newton Heath left their North Road ground in the neighbouring district of Newton Heath. Bank Street had a capacity of 50,000 spectators, and was covered on all four sides. Shortly after Manchester United moved to their present ground, in Old Trafford, Stretford, Bank Street was severely damaged in a storm and the remains were demolished soon after.
Manchester Velodrome opened at Clayton in September 1994 and a car park serving it was constructed on the site of Manchester United's old stadium.
Clayton Hall is a 15th-century hall on Ashton New Road, in Manchester, hidden behind trees in a small park. The Hall is a Grade II* listed building, a scheduled ancient monument, and is rare example of a medieval moated site (grid reference SJ88099857). It was originally built for the Clayton family, it passed on into the hands of the Byron family (of which the poet Lord Byron was a member) in 1194. They lived there until they sold it to two London merchants, George and Humphrey Chetham, in 1620. Humphrey Chetham is famous for founding Chetham's School and Library in the centre of Manchester.