SHOTLEY GATE

Shotley Gate is basically the peninsula between the rivers Stour and Orwell. The geographical importance of the location of Shotley Gate cannot be underestimated, given its position in defending the ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich and Harwich. This importance was demonstrated as early as 885 AD, when an invading Danish army was fought off by Alfred, King of Wessex, leading to the area becoming known as “bloody point”. Shotley is the location of a museum called the “HMS Ganges Museum”. HMS Ganges was a training ship for boys in the 1800s, starting off in Falmouth harbour, then moving to Harwich in 1899. In 1905 the training facility moved to the shore, staying at Shotley until 1976. HMS Ganges now houses a large collection of memorabilia of naval life at Shotley. For those who love observing the passing parade of shipping, Shotley Gate is a perfect spot, given its position between the two busy ports of Harwich and Felixstowe.

Map of the area.

Shotley Marina - geograph.org.uk - 941497. Photo by Andrew Hill, via Wikimedia Commons.