Is Marple in Manchester or Cheshire?

It lies within the historic boundaries of Cheshire, although not administratively in the county of Cheshire.

For administrative purposes it lies within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport which was created in 1974 as part of the new administrative metropolitan county of Greater Manchester under the guidelines of the Redcliffe Maud Report.

The Government stated at the time that the new administrative/ metropolitan counties were not aimed at changing the the historic boundaries of counties or affecting the loyalties that residents hold the these counties; but rather improving the administrative functions of areas.

Royal mail did not use Greater Manchester as a postal county due to confusion with the postal town of Manchester. Therefore residents may use their historic counties of Cheshire or Lancashire on postal addresses.

So yes, It lies within the Historic Boundaries of Cheshire but administratively in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport.

Marple Bridge was once part of Derbyshire but this was transferred to Cheshire in the 1930's.

It is of note that the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester ceases to exist in an administrative form since 1986, although the county exists in law and for ceremonial purposes.