Harpurhey is recorded in 1320 as "Harpourhey", meaning "hedged enclosure by a man called Harpour", who owned the area in the 14th century.

[2] Harpurhey lies on both sides of Rochdale Road from Collyhurst to Blackley, extending westward to the Irk.

To the north, Harpurhey is bordered by Blackley, to the west by Crumpsall, to the east by Moston and to the south by Collyhurst and Monsall.

The Edwardian swimming baths on Rochdale Road were built between 1909 and 1910 by Henry Price, Manchester's first City Architect.

[12] The women's pool hall and laundry have now been replaced by the MANCAT sixth form college and community library.

The Embassy Club on Rochdale Road was bought by Bernard Manning in 1959, before which it had been Harpurhey Temperance Billiard Hall.

[14] Today the park has a children's play area, rose gardens and hosts a variety of community events.

[24] Harpurhey Cemetery became the final resting place of Hannah Beswick (in 1868), the Manchester Mummy.

There is a health suite which includes spa pool, sauna and steam rooms, and a gymnasium.