01 June 2022

Welcome to Frodsham Pictures

A website of photographs showing the many historic buildings and parklands of Frodsham.

Frodsham

Frodsham is a market town of historic buildings, beautiful parklands, canals, pubs with a strong sense of community. The town lies within the country of Cheshire, England UK. Its population is over 10,000 and it is located approximately 3 miles south of Runcorn or 16 miles south of Liverpool.

The River Weaver runs to its northeast and on the west it overlooks the estuary of the River Mersey. The A56 road and the Chester–Manchester railway line pass through the town, and the M56 motorway passes to the northwest.

Frodsham is derived from the old words Frod (an old spelling of Ford) and ham which means a village or homestead; hence Frod's village or the Village on the Ford (Ford-ham). Though a more obscure etymology exists which suggests the name means "promontory into marsh". This probably makes sense considering that Frodsham had a promontory castle very close to marshland, though it was more of a fortified Manor or gaol than an actual castle.

Frodsham's nearby attractions include Castle Park Arts Centre and Lady Heyes Craft and Antiques Restoration Centre. A market is held each Thursday along the the main street.

In medieval times Frodsham was an important borough and port. It was awarded its borough charter in 1209 (an honoury distinction) by Earl Ranulf de Bluneville, 6th Earl of Chester in 1209. The town celebrated its 800 year birthday in 2009.

Seal of Ranulf Count of Chester and of Lincoln

Ordanance Survey map 1900

Frodsham's viability as a trading centre had been emphasised by the presence of the "big five" clearing banks and several building societies, although branches of HSBC and NatWest have since disappeared.

The town (status granted in 1993 by the town council in from its previous 'village' status) has seen a lot of development of shops and premises with alcohol licences, with the opening of many contemporary-style bars, restuarants, take-away food shops and public houses in the presence of small, specialised businesses operating from town-centre shops. The town also has many ameneties including a leisure centre, community centre and a large public park.