Farndon, Cheshire

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

Farndon
Welsh: Rhedynfre
Farndon Bridge
Farndon  Farndon shown within Cheshire
Population	1,517 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid reference	SJ412545
Parish	Farndon
Unitary authority	Cheshire West and Chester
Ceremonial county	Cheshire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CHESTER
Postcode district	CH3
Dialling code	01829
Police	Cheshire
Fire	Cheshire
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	City of Chester
List of places: UK • England • Cheshire

Farndon is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of 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]

History

It is reported that Edward the Elder died in the ancient parish of Farndon in AD 924, shortly after quelling a revolt of an alliance of Mercians and Welshmen. This involved Edward successfully taking Chester from the occupying Mercians and Welshmen, and then re-garrisoning it, and this happened shortly before his death.^[2]

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.

Origins of the name

Farndon is very close to the border between England and Wales (the actual border is on the bridge which crosses the river Dee and which separates Farndon and the village of Holt.) Consequently, Farndon has a Welsh name: Rhedynfre. 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.

The English name is reported to mean "Fern Hill", and has been given as Fearndune, Farndune, Ferentone, Ferendon, Faryngdon, and Ferneton, amongst other variations, since its first mention in 924AD.^[2]

Landmarks

See also: Listed buildings of Farndon, Cheshire

St Chad's Church

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.^[3]

St Chad's is the old parish church in Farndon. It is thought that some portions of the church date back to Sir Patrick de Bartun, a knight of King Edward III, whose effigy lies in the nave. The Church 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.^[4]

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. The restaurant called 'The Brasserie' closed late 2008.^{[citation needed]}

Notable residents

• Major Roger Barnston (1826-1857), served in the Crimean War and was killed in the Indian rebellion of 1857.^[5]
• Paul Burrell, former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, maintains a home in the village and has a shop bearing his name.^[6]
• John Speed (1542-1629), cartographer, was born in Farndon.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery of images

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 Cliffs SSSI
Barnston Monument, Farndon	Paul Burrell Flowers

Notes and references

Notes

Bibliography

• Dodgson, J. McN. (1972). The place-names of Cheshire. Part four: The place-names of Broxton Hundred and Wirral Hundred. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521082471.