Aldford
OS grid ref:- SJ420592
The attractive village of Aldford is situated to the south of Chester and lies on the east bank of the River Dee
Most of the buildings in the village were constructed in the mid nineteenth century by Sir Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster. Many of buildings are the work of the architect John Douglas, including the Grade II listed St John's church and the Grosvenor Arms public house.
The remains of Aldford Castle (grid reference SJ419596), overlooking a ford on the River Dee, consist of earthworks and a few fragments of stone and can be found immediately to the north of the church. It was founded by Richard de Aldford as a motte and bailey castle in the 12th century. The large motte is encased by a wide wet ditch and stands within the remaining wide ramparts and ditches of a rectangular bailey. Excavations on the flat-top motte uncovered the foundations of a possible shell keep, flanked by a D-shaped tower.
The River Dee outside the village is crossed by the Aldford Iron Bridge, which was built in 1824 by William Hazledine for the 1st Marquis of Westminster. Iron Bridge Lodge, adjacent to this bridge, was designed by Douglas & Fordham in 1894 and is a Grade II listed building.
Nearby places of interest
Eaton Hall, the country house of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, is situated just outside the village. The hall has been the home of the Grosvenor family since the 15th century. To the north of the hall is Eaton Chapel, with its handsome clock tower, which is a Grade I listed building. The house is surrounded by formal gardens, parkland, farmland and woodland. The gardens at Eaton Hall draw thousands of visitors each year. The gardens are only open to the public three times a year to raise funds for charity.
Chester, historic city founded by the Romans.