Halton, Cheshire

Halton, formerly a separate village, is now part of the town of Runcorn, Cheshire, England. The name Halton has been assumed by the Borough of Halton, which includes Runcorn, Widnes and some outlying parishes.GeographyThe village stands in an elevated position at 240ft compared with the surrounding area which lies at about 100ft. At its centre is an outcrop of sandstone which rises to a height of 252.6ft. On the summit of the outcrop are the ruins of Halton Castle. The major road, Main Street, passes below the castle, to its west and south, and Castle Road leads up to the castle.HistoryThere is evidence of human occupation in the Stone Age and during the Roman era. The village is recorded in the Domesday Book in the hundred of Tunendune and towards the end of the 11th century the first castle, which became the seat of the Barons of Halton, was built on the hill. The Tunendune hundred court was absorbed into Bucklow hundred by 1260 so government statistics for Halton over many later centuries are indexed by Bucklow hundred.During the medieval period a deer park measuring 100acre lay to the south and the west of the village. At this time Halton had a weekly market and annual fair. The village held a court leet and the castle was used as a prison. During the Civil War the castle was held by the Royalists and twice besieged by Parliamentary forces. Following this the castle fell into ruin. The importance of Halton declined with the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the chemical and other industries in Runcorn.