Bowdon, a village a township, and a parish in Cheshire. Close by is the Roman road from Kinderton, near the river Bollin, 1/2 mile SW of Altrincham. The Altrincham and Bowdon station on the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham railway, and Peel Causeway on the Cheshire lines, serve for this township, which has a post office under Altrincham. It enjoys fine air and charming environs, and is a favourite residence of the citizens of Manchester. The township includes the village, and comprises 850 acres; population of the township, 2792; of ecclesiastical parish, 5670. The old parish has been divided, and now consists of Bowdon and part of Hale. It is governed by a local board. The manor belonged to the priory of Birkenhead, and was given by Henry VIII. to the See of Chester. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Chester; net value, £766 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Chester. The church stands on elevated ground, was restored in 1320, 1520, and 1860, is now a fine cruciform edifice in the Late Perpendicular style, consisting of nave, aisles, transepts, choir with two chantries, called the S or Dunham chapel and the N or Carrington chapel, and an embattled western tower. It contains several monuments to the Booth family and others, and some fine memorial windows. A chapel of ease (St Peter's) was opened in Hale in 1892 at a cost of about £7000. There are Wesleyan and Congregational chapels. The Wesleyan chapel is a splendid structure.
