Frodsham Heritage 2005

Early settlement in the Frodsham area was on higher ground. Prehistoric hill forts are evident nearby and a roman road is believed to have passed through nearby Overton. The importance of Frotesham was noted in the Domesday Survey of 1086 - Frod's village held by Earl of Mercia.

Ranulph de Blundaville. The Norman Earl of Chester, marked a shift in settlement to an area lower down by the marshlands when he founded the town as a free Borough in approximately 1230. Burgage plots of one acre were established along what is now known as Main Street and people were freed from their agricultural dues and encouraged to earn their living from trade. Many of today's buildings stand on these original plots and the Golden Lion has records existing which trace the plot back to 1361 when it was granted to Henry Torfote, an up and coming local man at the time.

The town soon became a thriving centre of trade and an important local market town helped further by the introduction of a nearby small port.The market and local industry continued to flourish until the mid 14th century when the Black Death halted expansion.The market was re-established under rights granted by Charles II in 1661 and a continuance of those rights see a regular market still held today, every Thursday.ln the mid Victorian period a Butter Market was held in the town, a photograph of which can be seen here.

The areas greatest changes have occurred over the last century with the introduction and increased use of the motorcar. Although the street pattern has remained relatively unchanged, the layout within has been altered to accommodate and allow for traffic management and parking.The trees that line Main Street, which were originally planted in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, form a significant street scene feature that has been maintained.Also of interest in the street scene is the jubilee clock on the pedestrian crossing adjacent to the Golden Lion, which is believed to have been erected in 1925 to celebrate the visit of King George V.

The area has retained an interesting variety of buildings from the past and some of the key buildings, many of which are listed and feature blue plaques. can be identified on the downloadable map.The town symbol, a honeybee, seen throughout on plaques and street furniture was adopted in honor of Reverend Williams Charles Cotton. a former parish vicar and authority on bee-keeping.