From Shotley Point, there are superb views across the Orwell and Stour Rivers, to the busy Suffolk port of Felixstowe (the largest container port in the country), and to two Essex ports of Harwich and Parkeston Quay. These are two of the country's busiest ferry and cruise liner ports.
Originally an Anglo Saxon settlement, Shotley Gate saw its first naval battle in AD885, when Alfred, King of Wessex fought off Guthrum the Dane's invading army. This area became known as "bloody point". HMS Ganges was berthed here from 1899, and used as a cadet training ship for the Royal Navy. The training facility, still named HMS Ganges, moved ashore (in 1905) and was then located onto higher ground just behind Shotley Gate. Cadet training ended in 1976 and there is now a small naval museum dedicated to HMS Ganges in Shotley Marina.
Also see the parish website
View Shotley Gate in Google Earth
Shotley Gate is part of Shotley parish
Population (2007) of Shotley: 2430 (estimated)
Local licensing authority for Shotley Gate is Babergh
