Didsbury building's reputation, became known locally as "the gates to Hell". The parsonage became a museum, now closed, but the gardens are still open to the public. The area around St James' Church has the highest concentration of listed buildings in Manchester, outside the city centre. Didsbury was one of the few places between Stretford and Stockport where the River Mersey could be forded, which made it significant for troop movements during the English Civil War, in which Manchester was on the Parliamentarian side. The Royalist commander, Prince Rupert, stationed himself at Didsbury Ees, to the south of Barlow Moor. It
New Moston club, the clubhouse alone is situated in that district, and, after crossing the road to the first tee, the whole of the course is in Moston." Despite opposition from the local Member of parliament a decision was made to sell the course in 1972. House building on what is now "The Fairway" commenced in 1973/4. The original club house (known locally as the 'Tin Hut') on Hollinwood Avenue still exists and is now New Moston Conservative Club, but all that remains of the northern end of the course is a path beside the railway leading to Nuthurst Road. The later