Introduction
Shardlow has a unique place inthe history of the country. The 18th century canal port, with all its associatedwharves and warehouses is clearly to be seen. Originally a river port,Shardlow developed greatly with the opening of the Trent and Mersey Canalin 1770. Goods were transferred from wide boats to narrow boats and storedduring this operation or while awaiting redistribution by road, in a growingrange of warehouses. Along with this development came all sorts of otherbusinesses and buildings to support the carriers, boat builders, rope walks,workshops, stores, stables, offices, workers' cottages and owners' houses.The decline of the Canal business brought different uses for the warehousesbut the area remains remarkably unchanged. For more on the historyof the port, go to 'TheWorking Port - 1770 to 1948' Early History
There is much evidence of IronAge, Bronze Age and Roman settlements in the Trent Valley, and discoveriesnear Shardlow include : the Shardlow Bronze Age boat3 Medieval Bridges over theriver Trenta Barrow at Lockingtonan Iron Age Settlement betweenShardlow / Wilne and the river TrentRoman finds at Great WilneRiver Trent Crossing
The early bridges are of particularinterest to us because we know that the present A6 Derby - London routecrossing the river Trent at Cavendish Bridge was not the original crossingpoint. (The old route is mentioned in our page 'Virtual Walk' with referenceto the 1882 map) The old route went from the Dog and Duck , 'behind' ShardlowHall, to Wilne, and then onwards across the Trent towards Kegworth.
The siting of the 3 ancient bridgesis consistent with this, but we don't yet know the precise location ofthe original Wilden Ferry which was probably in the same area; althoughlater we believe that Wilden Ferry 'relocated' to the present site of CavendishBridge. Shardlow Carrier
"The only regular road service into Derby was thecaravan-like vehicle of Potts, the carrier from Castle Donington, in whichthe passengers struggled for existence with various forms of livestock,innumerable parcels of uncomfortable shape and size, and odd bits of agriculturalmachinery". Dr. Lethbridge Farmer's memories of old Shardlow.  |  | This post card of about 1904 shows the bus outside the Midland Stationin Derby. |
Shardlow ChurchCentenary Leaflet - 1938      |
