At the start of the nineteenth century, Longdendale consisted of the eight townships: Mottram, Godley, Hattersley, Newton, Hollingworth, Tintwistle, Matley and Staley, its population was less than a thousand.  This increased up to the mid 1800's but then once again,began to decline.

Mottram the main town of Longdendale was a centre of religion in the middle ages and held a large market for the surrounding villages.  At the start of the cotton industry, Mottram had a sizeable input, and during the nineteenth century it was a centre for shoe making and cultural activities such as botany and music.  Morris dancers also regularly performed here and the village was able to benefit from being on the Manchester to Sheffield route.

Religious groups provided education in Mottram during the nineteenth century.  The New Connexion Methodists  built the Court House as a Sunday school in the 1860's.  Later the group was to become Unitarians.  St. Michael's Parish church however, is now the most well known religious landmark in Mottram.  Parts of the church date from the fifteenth century, although it was partially restored in 1854.

The town is situated within the Etherow Valley a beautiful piece of countryside, consisting of several habitats and an informative visitor centre, also the Etherow Gymnastics Centre which trains would-be gymnasts from toddler age to Olympic standard. The Lymefield Garden Centre is well worth a visit, not only for garden requisites, but also for the excellent tearoom featuring home made cakes.