Farndon, Cheshire

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. Farndon/Rhedynfre has a famous bridge across the River Dee that connects it to the nearby Welsh village of Holt. 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.

Farndon is the birthplace of the famous cartographer John Speed (1542-1629).

Edward the Elder died at Farndon in 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. It contains an image thought to be that of William Lawes, the famous court musician, who was slain at the battle of Rowton Heath.

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

Farndon has a population of about 1,800 people. As of early July 2007, two of the three pubs, the Farndon Arms and the Nags Head, and La Toscana restaurant have closed. At the end of July, the restaurant has reopened under the name 'The Brasserie' and the Farndon Arms is undergoing works to create a 'gastropub'. The future of the Nags Head is not known.

Farndon Bridge

Farndon is famous for it medieval local standstone bridge linking England with Wales and the Village of Holt on higher ground over the River Dee. The bridge of said to be haunted.

Farndon Cliffs SSSI

Next to Farndon Bridge is a small picnic area next to the river. On the entrance to the picnic area are sandstone cliffs. This area has been classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The sandstone cliffs contain interesting rock formations.

St Chad's Farndon

St Chad's is the old parish church in Farndon. It has an interesting civil war history and contains a unique Civil War Memorial Window. The church tower shows signs of civil war musket ball damage. The Web Site of St Chad's Farndon

Notable Residents

• John Speed (1542-1629) cartographer
• Major Roger Barnston (1826-1857) Served in the Crimean war and was killed in the Indian rebellion of 1857 [1]
• Paul Burrell, former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, maintains a home in the village and has a shop bearing his name

Listed buildings

• Listed buildings of Farndon, Cheshire

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.

Gallery of Images

• Welcome to Farndon Sign
  Welcome to Farndon Sign
• 
  St. Chads, Farndon
• 
  Barnston Monument, Farndon
• William Lawes, Farndon Parish Church Civil War Memorial Window
  William Lawes, Farndon Parish Church Civil War Memorial Window
• Farndon Bridge
  Farndon Bridge
• Farndon Cliffs SSSI
  Farndon Cliffs SSSI
• St Chad's Farndon from the East End
  St Chad's Farndon from the East End
• St Chad's Farndon shows signs of Musket Ball Damage
  St Chad's Farndon shows signs of Musket Ball Damage
• Paul Burrell Flowers
  Paul Burrell Flowers

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References

• Population profile

See also

• St Chad's Church, Farndon