a market town and municipal borough in the Prestwich parliamentary division of Lancashire, England, 102 m. E.N.E. from Manchester, by the London & North-Western railway. Pop. (1901), 13,452. It lies in the valley of the Tame, close to the junction of the boundaries of Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire, and is surrounded by sharply-rising high ground, especially eastward. The Huddersfield canal passes it. Across the river from the town ancient earthworks (Bucton Castle), of British origin, are seen, and a Roman road passing them, and running north and south is also traceable. Mossley has foundries, mill-works, woollen factories, and large cotton-spinning mills. It was incorporated in 1885, and the corporation consists of a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 16 councillors. Area, 3622 acres.