OS grid reference SJ405665 Region North West Sovereign state United Kingdom Postcode district CH2, CH3 Post town Chester Population 7,956 (2011) | Civil parish Upton by Chester Country England Dialling code 01244 Ceremonial county Cheshire UK parliament constituency City of Chester | |
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Upton by Chester is a civil parish and a large suburb on the outskirts of Chester, in the Borough of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire in England. It includes the villages of Upton and Upton Heath. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 7,800, rising to 7,956 at the 2011 Census.
Contents
- Map of Upton by Chester UK
- History
- Religion
- Landmarks
- Education
- Governance
- Community
- Rail
- Shopping and leisure
- Notable people
- References
Map of Upton-by-Chester, UK
History
Formerly a township in Broxton Hundred, it included the hamlet of Upton Heath. The population was 173 in 1801, 555 in 1851, 1,769 in 1901 and 6,343 in 1951. An illustrated 300 page book on the history of Upton called 'Upton-by-Chester: A People's History' was published in 2005.
Upton-by-Chester as we know it today started when the railway was built in the mid-1800s. Gentlemen's country houses were built and provided employment other than traditional rural jobs. Initially ribbon development but then housing estates were built as more people moved out of the overcrowded city. Following the post-WW2 building boom there is now little development land left.
A permanent military presence was established in the town with the completion of Dale Barracks in 1939.
Religion
Upton has four churches; one Baptist, one United Reformed Church, one Catholic (St Columba's), and the Anglican Church of the Holy Ascension.
Landmarks
One building of particular interest is Upton Mill. Built in 1775 this was a full working flour mill with outhouses, yard and orchard. The wind sails were removed in the early 1920s when electricity was installed. The mill became closed in 1953 and remained uninhabited until 1979 when the mill was sold and converted as a private residence. Renovation was completed in 1988.
Another interesting feature is Upton-by-Chester Golf Club which is an established, 18-hole parkland course with mature tree lined fairways and some of nature's water hazards. The course was originally designed as a 9-hole course in 1934. It's changed a lot since those early days when plant pots were used as holes and garden canes as flags. Upton is now one of Cheshire's finest golf courses, with a reputation for being a family friendly club that welcomes new members and visitors alike.
Education
The area has four primary schools - Upton Heath (formerly Upton Manor), Westlea, Acresfield and Mill View - and a secondary school, Upton-by-Chester High School.
Governance
An electoral ward in the name of Upton exists. This ward had a population of 8,905 at the 2011 Census.
Community
The area has a hospital, a Royal British Legion Club, a bowling green, a golf course and a zoo. There is an active village hall, with a wide range of activities for all ages and interests.
Rail
The nearest railway station is on the Wirral Line at Bache less than a mile from Upton village centre.
Shopping and leisure
There are several shops including Bache, Upton-Heath, Weston Grove, at least four pubs including the Race Horse, the Frog, the Egerton Arms and The Wheatsheaf Inn, an Indian Restaurant called Indian Brasserie, and a cafe called Russian Style Crepes.
Notable people
Labour Party former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, lived with his parents in Upton after moving from Yorkshire, and married his wife Pauline (nee Tilston) at Church of the Holy Ascension in 1961.