Goyt

Goyt is a river in the north-west of England, part of the River Mersey catchment. It rises on the eastern edge of the Peak District in Derbyshire and flows generally southwest and then west through the Goyt Valley, passing through areas of both rural countryside and urban fringe. The river ultimately converges with the River Tame at Stockport to form the River Mersey, which continues to the Irish Sea.

In its upper reaches, the Goyt lies within the Peak District National Park, where the surrounding landscape is characterized by moorland, woodlands, and reservoirs. The lower reaches run through the metropolitan area around Stockport and other towns in Greater Manchester, where the river has long been linked to industrial activity and urban development. The Goyt Valley contains a number of reservoirs that were constructed to supply Manchester and the surrounding region with water, reflecting the historical role of the river in regional water supply infrastructure.

Ecologically, the Goyt supports habitats for a range of freshwater and marginal species, with salmon and trout appearing in some stretches and various invertebrates in the river and its banks. The surrounding valleys are popular for outdoor recreation, including walking, cycling, and angling, and portions of the river are managed to balance conservation with public access and water management.

The name Goyt is of uncertain origin but is established in local toponyms and institutions, including the Goyt Valley and Goyt Bridge. See also: River Mersey, River Tame, Peak District National Park.