List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire dated to before 1066

Sandbach Crosses

There are over 200 Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire, a county in North West England, which date from the Neolithic period to the middle of the 20th century. This list includes the Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire up to the year 1066, the year accepted by Revealing Cheshire's Past as the start of the Medieval period.

A Scheduled Monument is a nationally important archaeological site or monument which is given legal protection by being placed on a list (or "schedule") by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; English Heritage takes the leading role in identifying such sites. The current legislation supporting this is the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The term "monument" can apply to the whole range of archaeological sites, and they are not always visible above ground. Such sites have to have been deliberately constructed by human activity. They range from prehistoric standing stones and burial sites, through Roman remains and Medieval structures such as castles and monasteries, to later structures such as industrial sites and buildings constructed for the World Wars.

At least 84 monuments dating from before 1066 have been scheduled in Cheshire, the oldest probably being The Bridestones, a Neolithic long cairn. The monument at Somerford is also thought to have been a long cairn and there is evidence of a Neolithic settlement at Tatton. The Bronze Age is the period most strongly represented before 1066 with 44 monuments, almost all of which are round barrows. Eleven Iron Age hillforts or promontory forts are scheduled. The period of Roman rule left a variety of scheduled monuments, including the remains of settlements at Heronbridge and Wilderspool, and parts of Chester city walls. Definite or possible Roman military camps have been revealed by aerial photography showing cropmarks and parchmarks. The monuments remaining from the Dark Age and the Saxon period consist mainly of portions of crosses, and there is evidence of Saxon occupation of villages, now deserted, at Tatton and Baddiley.

Name Remains Location Date SM No Notes Ref Abbey Green cultivation marks Excavation Chester 53.1933°N 2.8910°W / 53.1933; -2.8910 (Abbey Green) Iron Age CH103 Excavations in 1975–77 revealed striations in the sandstone bedrock indicating pre-Roman cultivation of the area. Baddiley village Foundations Baddiley 53.0497°N 2.5863°W / 53.0497; -2.5863 (Baddiley village) Late Saxon and Medieval 30389 There is evidence of house platforms and enclosures which indicate a deserted village. Bartomley mound Mound Wincle 53.1882°N 2.0546°W / 53.1882; -2.0546 (Bartomley mound) Bronze Age 33882 A round barrow which consists of a mound which is partly bedrock. The edges of it have been ploughed and two pits dug into it. Bearhurst barrow Earthworks Henbury 53.2455°N 2.1912°W / 53.2455; -2.1912 (Bearhurst barrow) Bronze Age 22583 A round barrow 50 feet (15 m) across and 6 feet (2 m) high. An excavation in 1965–66 revealed flints, pottery sherds and two urns, one of which contained a cremation. Beeston Castle hillfort Earthworks Beeston 53.1280°N 2.6919°W / 53.1280; -2.6919 (Beeston Castle) Late Bronze Age to late Iron Age 23641 A hillfort on a prominent rocky outcrop. The site is now occupied by a ruined medieval castle which has obliterated the signs of earlier occupation. Bent Farm Roman Camp Earthworks Newbold Astbury 53.1549°N 2.2442°W / 53.1549; -2.2442 (Bent Farm Roman Camp) Roman 25716 Earthworks were identified in 1725 as a Roman temporary camp but largely destroyed in 1744. Further investigations carried out in 1967. Birch Hill Cropmarks Manley 53.2600°N 2.7129°W / 53.2600; -2.7129 (Birch Hill) Roman 25714 A temporary Roman camp which was identified from cropmarks in 1994 by aerial reconnaissance; no upstanding remains. Birtles Hall barrow Earthworks Over Alderley 53.2680°N 2.2190°W / 53.2680; -2.2190 (Birtles Hall barrow) Bronze Age 22577 A slightly oval (20m x 19m) round barrow consisting of a mound on top of a natural rise. Blackrock Farm barrow Earthwork Ginclough, Rainow 53.2865°N 2.0635°W / 53.2865; -2.0635 (Blackrock Farm barrow) Bronze Age 22568 A turf-covered round barrow 22.5m in diameter and 1.6m high. Blue Boar Farm barrow Earthworks Rainow 53.2844°N 2.0453°W / 53.2844; -2.0453 (Blue Boar Farm barrow) Bronze Age 22569 A round barrow, described in 1878 as a conical tumulus. It is now an oval (31.5m x 29m) mound of earth and stones up to 2m high. Bowstones Standing stones Lyme Handley 53.3287°N 2.0406°W / 53.3287; -2.0406 (Bowstones) Late Saxon 22589 Two cross staffs set in a massive stone base. Each has traces of carved interlaced ornament. Carved initials have been added, probably in the Medieval period. Bradley Hillfort Earthworks Kingsley 53.2861°N 2.6926°W / 53.2861; -2.6926 (Bradley Hillfort) Iron Age 25693 The smallest promontory hillfort in the county. It has natural defences only to the north; the other defences have been damaged by ploughing. The Bridestones Stone structure Congleton 53.1565°N 2.1398°W / 53.1565; -2.1398 (The Bridestones) Neolithic 13500 The only known Neolithic tomb in the county, formerly a chambered long cairn. Much of its fabric was removed in the mid-18th century to build a road. It now consists of a chamber enclosed by large stone slabs. Brink Farm barrow Earthworks Rainow 53.3089°N 2.0445°W / 53.3089; -2.0445 (Brink Farm barrow) Bronze Age 22570 A bowl-shaped round barrow consisting of a mound near the top of a knoll. Bullstones Earthwork with upright stone Wincle 53.2052°N 2.0732°W / 53.2052; -2.0732 (Bullstones) Bronze Age 22584 A cremation burial site in which the bones of a child or young person were found 3 feet (1 m) below the surface surrounded by a stone circle 20 feet (6 m) in diameter. Inside the circle was an upright stone slab, which is still present. Burton Point Earthworks Neston 53.2548°N 3.0460°W / 53.2548; -3.0460 (Burton Point) Iron Age 25695 A promontory fort consisting of earthworks in an arc protecting a former headland overlooking the River Dee Capesthorne Hall barrow (south) Earthworks Siddington 53.2495°N 2.2336°W / 53.2495; -2.2336 (Capesthorne Hall barrow (south)) Bronze Age 22575 A round barrow on a high point in woodland. Capesthorne Hall barrow (north) Earthworks Siddington 53.2529°N 2.2365°W / 53.2529; -2.2365 (Capesthorne Hall barrow (north)) Bronze Age 22576 A round barrow on the summit of a knoll. (The ornamental stone pedestal on its top is not part of the schedule.) Carden Park barrow Earthworks Carden 53.0753°N 2.8007°W / 53.0753; -2.8007 (Carden Park barrow) Bronze Age 23635 An oval (32m x 25m) bowl barrow of sand and earth on a saddle of higher ground (now in a golf course). Charles Head barrow Earthworks Rainow 53.3051°N 2.0367°W / 53.3051; -2.0367 (Charles Head barrow) Bronze Age 23613 A round barrow on the crest of a ridge, now crossed by a drystone wall. Chester Roman Amphitheatre Earthworks Chester 53.1893°N 2.8871°W / 53.1893; -2.8871 (Chester Roman Amphitheatre) Roman CH 85 Originally in wood, later in stone. The northern half has been excavated Chester city walls City walls Chester 53.1923°N 2.8891°W / 53.1923; -2.8891 (Chester city walls) Roman and Medieval CH7 An almost complete circuit of red sandstone walls round the city. The north and east walls follow Roman foundations and contain fabric from that era. Cleulow cross Standing stone Wincle 53.2038°N 2.0735°W / 53.2038; -2.0735 (Cleulow cross) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 25645 A gritstone pillar in a socket stone on a mound. The shaft is round and has the remains of a small wheelhead cross on the top. Coddington barrow Earthworks Coddington 53.0919°N 2.8187°W / 53.0919; -2.8187 (Coddington barrow) Bronze Age 22588 A tree-covered mound of red sand with a surrounding ditch, scheduled as a bowl barrow. Disley churchyard cross Stone Disley 53.3575°N 2.0398°W / 53.3575; -2.0398 (Disley churchyard cross) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 25631 A socket stone for two crosses in St Mary's churchyard. It was discovered in 1958 and thought to be the setting for two Saxon crosses. Eddisbury hillfort Earthworks Delamere 53.2192°N 2.6705°W / 53.2192; -2.6705 (Eddisbury hillfort) Iron Age 25692 A former hillfort on a steep-sided sandstone projection on the east side of the mid-Cheshire ridge. The defences consist of two earth ramparts with a single ditch between them. Edgar's Cave Former quarry Handbridge 53.1844°N 2.8887°W / 53.1844; -2.8887 (Edgar's Cave) Roman 27582 A quarry which included a shrine to Minerva whose image is still visible. The shrine is a Grade I listed building. Elm Bank Roman Camp Cropmark Waverton 53.1701°N 2.8222°W / 53.1701; -2.8222 (Elm Bank Roman Camp) Roman 25715 Cropmarks show a rectangular enclosure which housed a Roman practice camp. Engine Vein copper mine Trench and pits Nether Alderley 53.2941°N 2.2104°W / 53.2941; -2.2104 (Engine Vein copper mine) Bronze Age and later 33859 An opencast mine for copper and other minerals in use from the early Bronze Age, in Roman and medieval times, through to the Victorian era Gallowsclough Cob barrow Earthworks Oakmere 53.2373°N 2.6455°W / 53.2373; -2.6455 (Gallowsclough Cob barrow) Bronze Age 22594 A round barrow excavated in 1960 which was found to contain a cremation burial. Ginclough standing stone Standing stone Ginclough 53.2842°N 2.0683°W / 53.2842; -2.0683 (Ginclough standing stone) Late prehistoric 25702 A large stone 1m high cut away on two sides Harbutt's Field Roman fort Plan of Roman fort Middlewich53.1985°N 2.4472°W / 53.1985; -2.4472 (Harbutt's Field Roman fort) Roman 12615 The complete plan of a Roman fort has been revealed by a geophysical survey Helsby Hill fort Earthworks Helsby Hill 53.2732°N 2.7630°W / 53.2732; -2.7630 (Helsby Hill fort) Iron Age 25689 A promontory fort with naturally steep slopes to the west and north and an earth and stone rampart to the south. Heronbridge Roman Site Earthworks Claverton 53.1709°N 2.8839°W / 53.1709; -2.8839 (Heronbridge Roman Site) Roman CH25 A Roman settlement on each side of Watling Street with evidence of industrial activity in the late 1st and the 2nd century. High Billinge barrow Earthworks Utkinton 53.1911°N 2.6679°W / 53.1911; -2.6679 (High Billinge barrow) Bronze Age 23705 A round barrow 30m across and 1.8m high in woodland on a hill-top. Hoole Roman Camp Parchmark Hoole 53.2044°N 2.8551°W / 53.2044; -2.8551 (Hoole Roman Camp) Roman 27596 Aerial photography in August 1995 showed a rectangular enclosure, part of which lies under the A41 road. Ince Roman Fortlet Cropmarks Ince 53.2870°N 2.8303°W / 53.2870; -2.8303 (Ince Roman Fortlet) Roman 27589 Aerial photography showed a double-ditched rectangular enclosure. Excavation revealed a piece of samian pottery and postholes. Jodrell Bank barrow cemetery Earthworks Swettenham 53.2243°N 2.3036°W / 53.2243; -2.3036 (Jodrell Bank barrow cemetery) Bronze Age 23654 23655 23656 23657 Four remaining round barrows from an original group of six. Kelsborrow promontory fort Earthworks Delamere 53.2027°N 2.7026°W / 53.2027; -2.7026 (Kelsborrow promontory fort) Iron Age 25691 A promontory fort with steep sides to the south and a curving bank and ditch to the north. In the 19th century a palstave and a fragment of a sword were found. Knightslow barrows Earthworks Lyme Handley 53.3319°N 2.0547°W / 53.3319; -2.0547 (Knightslow barrows) Bronze Age 22579 22580 22581 22582 A group of four round barrows in woodland on a hill. London Road barrow Earthworks Prestbury 53.3017°N 2.1398°W / 53.3017; -2.1398 (London Road barrow) Bronze Age 22578 A slightly oval (26m x 25m) barrow up to 1.3m in height. In 1808 a number of cairns were found, one of which contained cremations. Long Lane barrow Earthworks Bickerton 53.0691°N 2.7320°W / 53.0691; -2.7320 (Long Lane barrow) Bronze Age 23636 A round barrow consisting of a low mound 24m in diameter and 0.5m high on a knoll to the east of Bickerton Hill. Longley Farm field system Earthworks Kelsall 53.2247°N 2.7056°W / 53.2247; -2.7056 (Longley Farm field system) Iron Age (or medieval/post-medieval) 30375 A system of terraces, lynchets and enclosures Maiden Castle Earthworks Bickerton Hill 53.0708°N 2.7511°W / 53.0708; -2.7511 (Maiden Castle) Iron Age 25690 A promontory hill fort on a spur with an earthwork defending its neck and two lines of ramparts on the south and east. Meadows Farm barrow Earthworks Horton-cum-Malpas 53.0296°N 2.8146°W / 53.0296; -2.8146 (Meadows Farm barrow) Bronze Age 22587 A round barrow which contained an oak plank, possibly part of a coffin. Moultonbank barrow Earthworks Moulton 53.2203°N 2.5211°W / 53.2203; -2.5211 (Moultonbank barrow) Bronze Age 22596 A round barrow on the top of a glacial mound 35m in diameter and 1.5m high. The Murder Stone Standing stone Lyme Handley 53.3261°N 2.0248°W / 53.3261; -2.0248 (The Murder Stone) Bronze Age 25701 A standing stone consisting of a triangular slab of gritstone Nab Head barrow Earthworks Bollington 53.3058°N 2.0912°W / 53.3058; -2.0912 (Nab Head barrow) Bronze Age 22573 An oval (19m x 17m) barrow up to 1.8m high with a central depression, surrounded by a ditch. North Cheshire Ridge Roman Road (1) Earthworks Appleton Thorn 53.3497°N 2.5461°W / 53.3497; -2.5461 (North Cheshire Ridge Roman Road (1)) Roman WG78 Much of this portion of the road is now covered by the village hall car park. North Cheshire Ridge Roman Road (2) Earthworks Stretton 53.3436°N 2.5600°W / 53.3436; -2.5600 (North Cheshire Ridge Roman Road (2)) Roman WG78 Scheduled portion of the road near to Mosswood Hall Oakmere hill fort Earthworks Oakmere 53.2060°N 2.6312°W / 53.2060; -2.6312 (Oakmere hillfort) Iron Age 25688 A promontory fort on a spur protruding into the mere with a rampart across the east side. Peckforton Mere promontory fort Earthworks and cropmarks Peckforton 53.1144°N 2.6803°W / 53.1144; -2.6803 (Peckforton Mere promontory fort) Iron Age 25703 A defensive settlement on a ridge with the mere to the southwest and marsh to the northwest and southeast. The northeast was defended by a ditch. Picton Roman camp Cropmarks Picton 53.2243°N 2.8677°W / 53.2243; -2.8677 (Picton Roman camp) Roman 27597 Aerial photography in July 1995 showed a rectangular enclosure which was probably a Roman practice camp. Prestbury churchyard cross shaft Stone fragments Prestbury 53.2892°N 2.1508°W / 53.2892; -2.1508 (Prestbury churchyard cross shaft) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 25632 Three Saxon stone fragments cemented together in the churchyard of St Peter's; the lower two fragments come from one cross while the top one is from a different cross. Reed Hill cairn Earthworks Lyme Handley 53.3155°N 2.0342°W / 53.3155; -2.0342 (Reed Hill cairn) Bronze Age 23609 A round barrow on the apex of a natural mound. Excavation in 1911 revealed a gritstone burial chamber containing cremated human bones. Robin Hood's Tump Earthworks Alpraham 53.1346°N 2.6371°W / 53.1346; -2.6371 (Robin Hood's Tump) Bronze Age 22593 A sand and turf round barrow 17m in diameter and 1.5m high. Excavation revealed worked flints but no evidence of a burial. Sandbach Crosses Standing stones Sandbach 53.1440°N 2.3621°W / 53.1440; -2.3621 (Sandbach Crosses) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 23637 A pair of Saxon crosses decorated with carvings on all faces. They have been moved on several occasions and were erected in their present position in 1816. They are listed Grade I. Sandbach cross fragments Stones Sandbach 53.1435°N 2.3611°W / 53.1435; -2.3611 (Sandbach cross fragments) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 30396 Three fragments from the shaft of one or more Saxon crosses in St Mary's churchyard. Seven Lows barrows Earthworks Delamere 53.1987°N 2.6550°W / 53.1987; -2.6550 (Seven Lows barrows) Bronze Age 23616 23617 23644 23650 23651 Five barrows remaining out of an original total of seven. Somerford Bridge barrow Earthwork Somerford 53.1677°N 2.2553°W / 53.1677; -2.2553 (Somerford Bridge barrow) Neolithic 13499 A suspected long barrow, now a mound covered in oak trees. Sponds Hill barrows Earthworks Lyme Handley 53.3194°N 2.0471°W / 53.3194; -2.0471 (Sponds Hill barrows) Bronze Age 22571 22572 Two round barrows, one on the summit of the hill, the other to the south. St. Plegmund's well Holy well Mickle Trafford 53.2253°N 2.8175°W / 53.2253; -2.8175 (St. Plegmund's well) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 30374 A well, now dry, surrounded by stone slabs Stamford Heath enclosure Shown on aerial photographs Christleton 53.1972°N 2.8087°W / 53.1972; -2.8087 (Stamford Heath enclosure) Roman 25729 Photography in 1947 revealed a rectangular earthwork enclosure which may be a Roman camp. Stamford Lodge Roman Camp Cropmarks Christleton 53.1964°N 2.8179°W / 53.1964; -2.8179 (Stamford Lodge Roman Camp) Roman 25730 Photography in 1947 revealed a rectangular earthwork enclosure which may be a Roman camp. Sutton Hall cairn Earthworks Sutton, Macclesfield 53.2388°N 2.1140°W / 53.2388; -2.1140 (Sutton Hall cairn) Bronze Age 22574 A round barrow 24m in diameter and up to 1.4m in height. When excavated in 1962 secondary cremations were found but no primary cremation. Swettenham Hall barrow Earthworks Swettenham 53.1971°N 2.2801°W / 53.1971; -2.2801 (Swettenham Hall barrow) Bronze Age 23614 A probable round barrow which has been spread by ploughing Tatton settlement, old hall and mill dam Earthworks Tatton Park 53.3286°N 2.3671°W / 53.3286; -2.3671 (Tatton settlement) Late Neolithic, Saxon, and Medieval 30362 A former village occupied in the late Neolithic, Saxon and Medieval periods. Now deserted and only earthworks remain. The site includes the ground beneath Tatton Old Hall Thieves Moss Roman road Site of road Delamere Forest 53.2182°N 2.6563°W / 53.2182; -2.6563 (Thieves Moss Roman road) Roman CH30 The possible site of section of the Chester-Manchester Roman road. Toot Hill barrow Mound Macclesfield Forest 53.2454°N 2.0440°W / 53.2454; -2.0440 (Toot Hill barrow) Bronze Age 23612 An oval barrow of earth and stones at the centre of which is a gritstone slab. Tytherington barrow Earthworks Tytherington 53.2712°N 2.1308°W / 53.2712; -2.1308 (Tytherington barrow) Bronze Age 22592 A round barrow, now in a housing development, which was found to contain a cremation and part of an urn. Upton Heath Roman Camp Cropmark Upton Heath 53.2201°N 2.8744°W / 53.2201; -2.8744 (Upton Heath Roman Camp) Roman 25722 A rectangular round-cornered enclosure, possibly a Roman practice camp. Upton Roman Camp Parchmarks Upton-by-Chester 53.2196°N 2.8703°W / 53.2196; -2.8703 (Upton Roman Camp) Roman 25723 Aerial photography in August 1989 showed a rectangular enclosure; no signs of it can be seen on the ground. Upton Roman camp (1) Parchmarks Upton-by-Chester 53.2233°N 2.8721°W / 53.2233; -2.8721 (Upton Roman camp (1)) Roman 25724 Aerial photography in August 1990 showed a rectangular enclosure with a rounded entrance. Upton Roman camp (2) Cropmarks Upton-by-Chester 53.2168°N 2.8695°W / 53.2168; -2.8695 (Upton Roman camp (2)) Roman 25726 Aerial photography has shown a rectangular enclosure. Further investigations have revealed evidence of a ditch and sherds of Roman pottery. West Park cross shafts Three standing stones West Park, Macclesfield 53.2634°N 2.1365°W / 53.2634; -2.1365 (West Park cross shafts) Early Medieval/ Dark Age 25633 Three Saxon circular crosses with traces of ornamental sculpting, now mounted in a public park. Whitley barrow Earthworks Lower Whitley 53.3099°N 2.5747°W / 53.3099; -2.5747 (Whitley barrow) Bronze Age 23615 A slightly oval round barrow Wilderspool Roman site Excavation Wilderspool 53.3750°N 2.5871°W / 53.3750; -2.5871 (Wilderspool Roman site) Roman WG110 Excavations have shown parts of a walled town with evidence of industrial activity. Winwick barrow Earthworks Highfield Lane, Winwick 53.4342°N 2.5827°W / 53.4342; -2.5827 (Winwick barrow) Bronze Age 22597 A round barrow, formerly part of a cemetery. Excavation in 1860 revealed a large urn containing human bones, a stone axe hammer and a bronze spear head. Withington Hall barrow cemetery Earthworks Withington, Macclesfield 53.2482°N 2.2911°W / 53.2482; -2.2911 (Withington Hall barrow cemetery) Bronze Age 22585 22586 Three round barrows, two of which have been excavated revealing evidence of cremations. Woodhouse hillfort Stone and earth bank Frodsham 53.2763°N 2.7350°W / 53.2763; -2.7350 (Woodhouse hillfort) Iron Age 25694 A promontory hillfort with steep slopes on the south and west sides and a stone and earth bank on the other sides. Wybunbury church site Foundations Wybunbury 53.0452°N 2.4486°W / 53.0452; -2.4486 (Wybunbury church site) Late Saxon 32564 A church was present in the Domesday survey. The subsequent Medieval church of St Chads (other than the tower) has been demolished and the site is scheduled. Yearn's Low barrow Earthworks Rainow 53.2806°N 2.0548°W / 53.2806; -2.0548 (Yearn's Low barrow) Bronze Age 22567 A round barrow 19m in diameter in which Roman coins and other objects have been found.

Blackrock Farm barrow The Bowstones The Bridestones Chester Roman amphitheatre Chester City Walls Eddisbury hill fort from the west Minerva's shrine in Edgar's Field Helsby Hill Knightslow Wood Maiden Castle rampart Prestbury churchyard cross Sponds Hill St. Plegmund's well Grounds around Tatton Old Hall Grounds of St Chad's Church, Wybunbury Barrow on Yearns Low

See also

• List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire (1066–1539)
• List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire (post-1539)
• Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire

Notes

^A SM No = Scheduled Monument Number

References

Pastscape and Images of England are published by English Heritage and Revealing Cheshire's Past is published by Cheshire County Council