About Hartford
Hartford is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It forms part of the Weaver Vale parliamentary constituency. Hartford village has close to 6,700 residents and is known for the wide range of excellent schools located in the village, and its beautiful nature reserve, Marshall’s Arm, which runs down to the River Weaver. The village has excellent public transport links to Liverpool, Birmingham and other destinations.
Image of Old Hartford courtesy of Cheshire Archives & Local Studies
Hartford Parish Map
The map below shows the present boundary of the Parish of Hartford.
Note that the blue hatched area was added on 1st April 2015.
Hartford Timeline of Events
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1086
1644
1659
1795
1824
1833
1833
1837
1840
1846
1863
1875
1887
1889
1891
1897
1920
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1929
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1938
1944
1988
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1998
2005
2011
2023
2023
Roman occupation of Cheshire
Appeared in the Domesday Book as 'Herford' - Barony of Kinderton. The barony was conferred on Gilbert de Venables by Hugh Lupus shortly after the Norman conquest. Hugh was the first Earl of Chester and a nephew of William the Conqueror.
Civil War Battle at Hartford.
Civil War skirmish before the Battle of Winnington Bridge.
Start of the enclosure of waste lands.
Original St John's Church consecrated (As a "Chapel of Ease" to the Parish of Witton-cum-Twambrooks).
Original Methodist Chapel built (Wesleyan).
National School built by subscription and a grant of £30 from the National Society.
Hartford Railway Station opened on the new Grand Junction Railway.
Completion of enclosure.
Grand Junction Railway merged to become part of the London & North Western Railway
New Parish of St John Hartford constituted.
Present St John's Church consecrated.
Tower added to St John's Church.
National School (mixed) rebuilt for 300 children.
Present Methodist Chapel built.
Ring of six bells added to St John's Church.
War Memorial erected.
The opening of Hartford’s Recreation Club (now the Village Hall and adjacent land)
Church Hall built.
Grange Kindergarten Built.
'Blue Bridge' built to replace old stone single span bridge.
British Albemarle bomber crashed opposite the shops killing all but one of the crew.
Hartford twinned with Mornant, France.
Marshall's Arm declared a Local Nature Reserve.
St John's Church extension opened.
Grange Theatre opened
New Church Hall opened
Village Hall Centenary celebrations
Green Field Pavilion Reopens
A brief history of Hartford Village
Hartford crossroads Image courtesy of Cheshire Archives and Local Studies
The origin of Chester Road in Hartford dates back to the Romans, who built a road to link Chester with Manchester, via their fort "Condate" near Northwich. Hartford then was mostly forest with some land as meadow and some cultivated. In 1086 the entry in the Domesday Book records 12 households in total.
In 1644, Hartford was the scene of a battle between Royalist forces from Chester and Parliamentary troops from Northwich, and in 1659 the village saw a skirmish before the Battle of Winnington Bridge.
By the mid-18th century the Marshall family, and the money they made from the local salt deposits, were starting to influence Hartford. Their name continues today in Marshall's Arm Local Nature Reserve. This was part of the Hartford Manor estate, which they bought in 1774.
In 1801, Hartford's population was only 506. By 1851, that had nearly doubled to 982. Many of these people were "in service" in the big houses, or worked on the land. Hartford became an important collection point for Chester-London mail with the building of the Grand Junction Railway (now the West Coast Main Line) and the opening of Hartford Station in 1837. Thirty-three years later, the West Cheshire Railway, with its local station at Greenbank, cut through Hartford.
By the early 20th century the growth of Brunner, Mond & Co's soda ash business at Winnington created the need for housing for their directors and managers, resulting in new roads and houses being built in Hartford.
A century or so on from the coming of the railways, Hartford's iconic "Blue Bridge" and the Northwich and Hartford by-pass were built. With good schools and good transport links, Hartford was an attractive place to live for those working in the local chemical industry as well as those commuting further afield.
Between 1961 and 2011, the population more than doubled again to 5,556, and by 2021 the census showed a population of 6,697.
The name "Hartford" is almost certainly derived from "hart" - a male deer or stag in and beyond its 5th year - and "ford" a shallow part of a river or stream, where man or beast may cross by wading. Before the bridges, Hartford stood on the site of a ford across the River Weaver.
Hartford Aerial View, August 1945
Source: Historic England Archive (RAF Photography)
An aerial view of Hartford, which was taken by the RAF in August 1945, perfectly illustrates just how much the village has grown over the last 80 years. This image was kindly supplied by the Historic England Archive and we have marked up a PDF version, to include road names, if you would like to try and identify where you live. You will note that Chester Road is labelled as "Watling Street" - which is how it appeared on maps at that time. Click here to open the PDF document in a new window. Please be aware that it is a large file and may take a few minutes to open.
Useful Links to other sites
We have put together a list of links to other websites, which you may find helpful.
Neighbourhood Plan
The following image will link you to a copy of Hartford's Neighbourhood Plan.
The Plan was prepared jointly by Hartford Parish Council and Hartford Civic Society between 2011 and 2016. It had to go through a number of legal checkpoints and had to be updated a number of times to deal with the changing conditions surrounding the Redrow planning applications which eventually received approval in 2014.
The Plan has now gone through all the necessary channels and is now a legal document and has already been used to prevent inappropriate planning applications in the village.
This is a large document - 48 pages - and may take a minute or so to download.
Village Design Statement
Background
Village Design Statements were introduced in 1996 by the then Countryside Commission to protect "the rich and varied character of the English countryside" that was believed to be under threat from standardisation and poor design. In order to understand, influence and improve rural design, the Commission developed the Village Design Statements to focus attention on the three themes of regional diversity, local distinctiveness and harmony (between buildings, settlements and the wider landscape setting).
In December 2002 Tarporley was the first village in Cheshire to have its Village Design Statement approved as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Whitegate and Marton followed in 2003 and Hartford in 2005. Weaverham and Moulton followed soon afterwards.
Hartford
Early in 2004 the Society worked with village residents, under the leadership of Keith Sexton, and with the support of Vale Royal Borough Council, on developing a Village Design Statement for Hartford. This was done in close cooperation with the Parish Council who managed the development of The Parish Plan - which was published and distributed to all residents.
These two documents provide a statement of what is important for the people who live within the village. Whilst this Village Design Statement deals primarily with planning issues the Parish Plan covers the wider societal issues.
The final Hartford Village Design Statement was submitted to Vale Royal Borough Council in early December 2004 and was adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance in February 2005. Whilst the document is now 20 years old and and is perhaps less relevant today, it still provides a useful record of what Hartford villagers consider important in design terms.
Download a copy of the Hartford Village Design Statement by clicking on the image below.
Local Walks
Hartford Civic Society has prepared maps and guides to some of the most picturesque and interesting walks in the local area. Full information about each of these routes is available to our supporters using the links below.
Dog Friendly Walks Around Hartford
Most of these walks are in the immediate area or involve a short car journey. They are not included in conventional walk books, but a local map (OS Explorer 267) will be invaluable and will enable you to discover other routes. Half the enjoyment is discovering walks for yourself. We have included start points.
Thorn Wood
Parking is available on the roadside, on Northwich Road heading towards Weaverham, just after The Grange School playing fields. This 41-acre site is managed by the Woodland Trust and offers very good birdwatching opportunities.
Owley Wood
Owley wood is an ancient, semi-natural woodland on the steep banks of the River Weaver, which is managed by Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Accessed off Wallerscote Road in Weaverham the walk involves some steep steps. Offers a real gem of a short walk, with bathing opportunities for your pet.
Marshall's Arm Local Nature Reserve
Marshall's Arm Local Nature Reserve is sandwiched between Hartford and Greenbank and the river Weaver. It can be accessed by car via Stones Manor Lane, Hartford or Saxons Lane, Castle. There is access on foot from Parks Close, Hartford and along the river Weaver from the A556. The Reserve is well kept by a dedicated team of volunteers and is home to a variety of wildlife.
Church Wood, Whitegate
Parking is available at the end of Vale Royal Drive opposite St Mary's Church, Whitegate. The Church Wood site itself comprises eight acres and is owned by The Woodland Trust, but managed on a long lease by the Church Wood Conservation Group. There are a few options from here, towards the Golf Club or across the road towards Petty Pool (map essential).
Furey Wood, Northwich
Formerly part of Northwich Woodlands, but now believed to be in private ownership (and believed to be less well maintained than it was previously), Furey Wood is accessed from a car park at the end of Beswicks Road, opposite the Victoria Infirmary. The 19-acre site offers short circular walks around two main areas of grassland. There are also links to a riverside pathway, with good views over Northwich and along the River Weaver, which can be reached via steep steps.
Ashton's and Neuman's Flashes, Northwich
Witton Mill Car Park, which is accessed off Old Warrington Road, is a good starting point for numerous walks of varying lengths. There are good paths, noticeboards and fingerpost signs to help direct you. There are some lovely routes and excellent bird watching oppotunities.
Whitegate Way
Parking for the Whitegate Way, which stretches for six miles from Winsford to Cuddington, is available next to the café at the old Whitegate Railway Station. Kennel Lane at Sandiway is also a good starting point for a variety of walks - including some that take in parts of the Whitegate Way. A map is advisable.
Delamere 'Stones' Walk
You can walk up the 176-metre "Old Pale" from Gresty's Waste Sandstone Trail car park, on the A54. Please take great care crossing this busy road to reach the paths that take you up the hill. Admire the far-reaching views from the top, where you will find standing stones to help you identify the seven counties you can see from this viewpoint on a clear day. This is a good starting point for discovering the whole of Delamere Forest. Maps are available in Delamere Forest Visitor Centre.
River and Canal Walk from the Leigh Arms
If you park at, or near, the Leigh Arms on the A49 at Bartington, you can access a narrow track which takes you up to the Trent and Mersey Canal. This narrow track can be found, close to the Leigh Arms, and is signposted off Willow Green Lane. There are various walking routes from the Trent and Mersey Canal down to the River Weaver for the return journey, but a map is advisable.