Frodsham
Frodsham is a town in the north west of the country in the county of Cheshire. The town is served by the River Weaver and the Manchester Ship Canal and looks out over the River Mersey Estuary. It basically lies between Chester and Warrington on the map. The name Frodsham is based on the old English phrase Frod’s ham (village) and is held to date back to Saxon times. Frodsham was granted town (rather than village) status in 1992.
Frodsham’s ‘heyday’ may well have been in the medieval age when the town was a significant port and market town in the region. Markets are still held weekly in the town. The local parish church of the town (St Laurence’s) was referred to in the Domesday Book - at this stage the building was a Saxon chapel. The current church still has some evidence of 12th, 13th and 14th century building and is well worth a visit. The area around the town was, at that point, owned by the Earldom of Chester and played a significant role in their economic portfolio.
During its early years as a port Frodsham was well known for its export of salt mined from the Cheshire region. The town has also historically been associated with the fishing industry on the local tidal marshes - this industry died away with the building of the Manchester Ship Canal in the marsh areas.
When the railways of the Industrial Revolution came to the area Frodsham was given a significant boost. With easier access and regular transport links the town became a popular place for early commuters who were usually merchants from surrounding cities such as Liverpool and Manchester. Industry in the town at this point included a gas works, a rubber business, building concerns and a jam factory. From the 1940s to the 1960s the town also saw an influx of new residents as people moved here to work in the large concerns setting up near the town such as Shell, Vauxhall and ICI.
Frodsham is a picturesque town with an interesting history that will charm most visitors. Shopping in the area includes a wide range of independent and local retailers and the town still has many of its trademark thatched cottages. A visit to nearby Frodsham Hill is a must for walkers - the caves here are considered by many people to date back to the days of the cavemen.