Farndon, Cheshire

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Farndon
Farndon shown within Cheshire
Population	1,517 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid reference	SJ412545
Parish	Farndon
District	Chester
Shire county	Cheshire
Region	North West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CHESTER
Postcode district	CH3
Dialling code	01829
Police	Cheshire
Fire	Cheshire
Ambulance	North West
European Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	City of Chester
List of places: UK • England • Cheshire

Coordinates: 53°05′07″N 2°52′41″W / 53.08519, -2.8781

Farndon is a village and civil parish in Chester District, Cheshire, England. It is located on the banks of the River Dee, south of Chester, and close to the border with Wales. At the 2001 Census, the village had a population of 1,517.^[1]

[edit] History

Edward the Elder died at Farndon in AD 924.

Some historians believe that Farndon was the location of the first ever competitive horse race with riders, in a local field on the banks of the River Dee. Nearby Chester Racecourse is said to be the oldest racecourse in Britain.

During the English Civil War, Farndon was the scene of bitter fighting over the Bridge that was controlling access to Chester from Wales. There is also a fine memorial window in the parish church to the Civil War Royalists.

The village was at one time renowned for its strawberries, which were grown in the surrounding fields. This is no longer the case. The nearest fields are now in Holt.

[edit] Welsh Rhedynfre, English Farndon

Rhedynfre is the ancient Welsh name for Farndon which is now on the Cheshire side of the border between England and Wales. The village was an important place historically and has been a site of conflict and cultural exchange since the Angles settled the area in the 8th century. The border moved numerous times during the following centuries, placing Farndon alternately in Wales and England.

[edit] Landmarks

See also: Listed buildings of Farndon, Cheshire

Farndon Bridge spans the Dee connecting Farndon to the nearby Welsh village of Holt on higher ground. The bridge, made of sandstone and originally of Medieval construction, is said to be haunted. Holt Castle is located on the opposite side of the river; it was constructed in the 13th and 14th centuries. The castle fell to the forces of Oliver Cromwell in 1647.

Next to Farndon Bridge is a small picnic area beside the river. At the entrance to the picnic area are Farndon Cliffs. This area has been classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The sandstone cliffs contain interesting rock formations.^[2]

St Chad's is the old parish church in Farndon. It was damaged during the English Civil War and later repaired. The church contains a unique Civil War Memorial Window, and features an image thought to be that of William Lawes, the famous court musician, who was slain at the battle of Rowton Heath. The church tower still shows signs of Civil War musket ball damage.^[3]

The village used to have three public houses: the 'Greyhound', the 'Nags Head' and the 'Farndon Arms'. Two of these, the Farndon Arms and the Nags Head closed in the summer of 2007 and the Farndon Arms has since reopened as 'The Farndon'; the Nags Head remains closed. There is also a restaurant called 'The Brasserie'.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Notable residents

• Major Roger Barnston (1826-1857), served in the Crimean War and was killed in the Indian rebellion of 1857.^[4]
• Paul Burrell, former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, maintains a home in the village and has a shop bearing his name.
• John Speed (1542-1629), cartographer, was born in Farndon.

[edit] Gallery of images

St. Chad's, Farndon	St Chad's Farndon from the East End	St Chad's Farndon shows signs of musket ball damage	William Lawes, Farndon Parish Church Civil War Memorial Window
Farndon Bridge	Farndon Cliffs SSSI	Barnston Monument, Farndon	Paul Burrell Flowers

[edit] References