Shotton, Flintshire


Shotton is a town and community in Flintshire, Wales, lying within the Deeside conurbation along the River Dee, adjoining Connah's Quay, near the border with England. It is located 5 miles west of Chester and can be reached by road from the A548. At the 2011 Census Shotton had a population of 6,663.

Etymology

The town's name is first recorded in Old English as Cyllingas deriving from a Celtic origin Cyllin or Cylla. This original name appears to have persisted throughout the town's history, surving today in the oldest part of the modern town as Killin's Farm and Killin's Lane. In 1822 Richard Willett recorded that the town contained one of the parish's most notable ancient houses, which by that time was named Kyllins. Willett also stated that this name derived from the Welsh Language word Celyn.
The town shares it's modern English name with three other towns in Britain. These towns derive their names from Town of Scots but it is unlikely that a Flintshire town shares this etymology. The name probably derives from Scēot-tūn = "farmstead on or near a steep slope", or from Shot-tūn = "farmstead in a clearing in the wood". The town is officially named Shotton in both English and Welsh, making it one of the few towns in Wales to have neither a Welsh spelling or etymology.

History

Founded by Anglo-Saxons, the town grew from the 18th century around coal mining and farming on reclaimed marshland. Shotton also became a railway junction. Although known as Shotton Steelworks, the majority of the neighbouring large plant owned by Tata Steel lies in Connah's Quay.
The town lies under the Hawarden Bridge, which was completed in 1889 as a swing-opening bridge.

Education

Shotton is served by the following schools:
Transport links include Shotton railway station, on the Borderlands Line and the North Wales Coast Line.