Monument record 2025/1/2 - Shotwick Castle Quay

Quay at Shotwick. Shotwick Castle originally lay on the banks of the River Dee, but the river has since been diverted. There was a quay and ferry at the head of a sizeable ford. Henry II set sail from here on an expedition to Ireland in C12 (1). In 1357-8, 21,000 slates were brought from Ogwen in Wales by ship to Shotwick Park and then to Chester for the roof of the great stable at Chester Castle. A substantial quay is said to have been built near the castle in C15, but it was gradually superseded by the New Quay at Great Neston in temp. Elizabeth I (2). Linear earthwork within wet woodland to W of castle may indicate site,of quay. Possible that castle ditch may have been a dry dock associated with quay (3). Manuscript describes parts of two round towers and entrance to the castle from the sea being demolished in 1756 (4).

<1> Hughes H, 1966, Cheshire and the Welsh Border, /15 (Oral Communication). SCH564.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 28/82-142 Stewart-Brown R 1912 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Davey P 1988 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<4> Broster P, 1810, Letter in the Earwaker Collection Chester City Record Office, CR/63/2/133 (Book). SCH1910.