Monument record 10973 - Taylors Boat Yard, Shropshire Union Canal

Taylor’s Boat yard is recorded on the west bank of the Ellesmere section of the Shropshire Union canal since the late 19th century when it consisted of a travelling crane and a series of buildings along the canal side. The structures of the yard have remained unusually intact and many are now protected as listed buildings. (1)

A mid 19th century blacksmith’s forge, probably built for the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company. The building is of red brick with a grey slate roof. It is one storey in height and three bays in width with sliding doors to the front, now removed, and two square stacks. The interior retains several original king post trusses, brick hearths and the remains of a bellows.

An early to mid 19th century canal warehouse and office, part of the Taylors Boat Yard complex, is recorded in this location, now in use as a workshop and studio and has been significantly altered. It is two storeys high and 8 bays wide of whitewashed red brick and a grey slate roof.

A mid 19th century carpenters’ shed, of red brick with some vertical weatherboarding to the gable ends and a grey slate roof.

A late 19th century flat builders shed. Flat boats were broad canal boats. It is of blue brick with sandstone dressing, some weatherboarding and a grey slate roof. Broad opening to canal, now walled up, spanned with lattice girder.

A late 19th century narrowboat shed. It is of cast iron framing with timber infill and a grey slate roof. The roof is carried on long lattice girders, with no intermediate columns, to the canal front from each end to the angle. A column to each bay on the yard side, with timber ties and queen post trusses on quadrant iron brackets. (5)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

<5> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Digital Archive). SCH4666.