Archaeological excavations in 1949 at Radcliffe Ees (a level plain along the north bank of the Irwell, formed by retreating glacial deposits during the previous ice age)[10] found evidence of pre-historic activity, suggesting a lake village site, but dating techniques of the time were unreliable.

The 8.5-inch (22 cm) large tool artefact weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and is made from polished Quartzite, with a bore to take a shaft.

[8] As a Royal Manor, the hide may originally have been up to four times the size it was when it was recorded in 1212 as being held by William de Radeclive, of the "Radclyffes of the Tower" family.

With a weir and goit providing motive power for a water wheel, the factory was built for throstle spinning and the weaving of cotton—a relatively new introduction to Britain.

[26] In 1784 an outbreak of typhoid prompted Lord Grey de Wilton to inform the magistrates of the Salford Hundred;[27] keen to prevent the spread of the disease to neighbouring towns and villages, they sent doctors to assess the situation.

[28] The report forced the magistrates, led by Thomas Butterworth Bayley, to abandon the practice of binding parish apprentices to any mill not adhering to these conditions.

The crowd then marched on other businesses within the town before heading along the canal to Bolton, at which point they were apparently turned back by news of approaching soldiers.

Messrs Stott & Pickstone's Top Shop on Stand Lane was the first company to employ powered looms and spinning around 1844.

Many of their employees would eventually leave to start their own businesses, such as Spider Mill, built by Robert and William Fletcher, and John Pickstone.

Its construction provided much-needed employment: in the 1860s living standards within the town were poor, and local mills often operated on "short time".

Several foundries and machine manufacturers were located around the town, including Dobson and Barlow at Bradley Fold, and Wolstenholme's along Bridgewater Street.

Although the town retains much of its existing Victorian and Edwardian housing stock, new estates have been built on former brownfield land including that of the Radcliffe Paper Mill Company.

[2] With reference to the Local Government Act 1858, it was a regulatory body consisting of 12 members,[51] responsible for standards of hygiene and sanitation in the township.

[51] Radcliffe Town Hall was built in 1911, replacing an earlier building on the junction of Water Street and Spring Lane.

Radcliffe E'es, a level plain formed along the north bank of the Irwell during the previous ice age,[10] is now derelict and the planned location of a new school.

[64] From a highpoint of 500 feet (152 m) above sea level in the northwest of Radcliffe, the surface gradually descends, particularly in the south and east, being the lowest along the River Irwell.

The bypass has created problems for cyclists and pedestrians who appear reluctant to cross the road and visit the town centre.

[88] The closure of the East Lancashire and Radcliffe Paper Mills, both of which employed thousands of people, has left a large gap in the town's local economy.

[20] Along with the decline of local industry the town's shopping centre has suffered a severe loss of trade and is now barely viable as a retail outlet.

[4] On 27 June 2018, due to very hot weather, a fire started on the exterior of the complex of shops adjoining the precinct as roofing tar caught alight.

3,371 people worked in wholesale and retailing; repair of motor vehicles, 682 in hotels and catering, and 1,185 in transport; storage and communication.

[108] The town also has two Grade II* listed buildings; Dearden Fold Farmhouse, completed during the 16th century,[109] and Radcliffe Cenotaph, built in 1922 to commemorate the First World War.

The first stone was laid by Viscount Grey de Wilton (grandson of the Countess Grosvenor) on 21 July 1862, and it was consecrated in 1864 by the first Bishop of Manchester, James Prince Lee.

A convoy of horse-drawn lorries carrying salt between Bealey's Bleach Works and Northwich would take up to two weeks to make a return journey.

On 18 July 1872 the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR), which had amalgamated with the ELR some years previously, gained an act of Parliament[which?]

On the opposite side of the town St John's school started life in 1860 as an institute along Irwell Street, and by 1864 contained 120 children.

[157] Other faiths are also catered for, with a mosque on Bridgefield Street,[158] and a centre and a church for Swedenborgianism on Radcliffe New Road and Stand Lane respectively.

James, and Thomas Radcliffe, were fined for causing a Bayre to be bayted upon Saturday being the 18th of March 1587–8, at the Bull-Ringe neere the conduite in Manchester.

Chairman of the local board of health Samuel Walker Esq cut the first sod on 23 April 1894, and the works were completed in the following year.

[185] Radcliffe was the birthplace of Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle[186] and the three times World Champion snooker player John Spencer.