Site Event/Activity record ECH6596 - Cranshaw Hall Farm, Bold, Halton, Cheshire: Evaluation and Watching Brief Report

An archaeological watching brief and trial trenching were undertaken in 2018 at Cranshaw Hall Farm, the site of a late medieval moated settlement and scheduled monument. The current farmhouse is located on the western half of the scheduled monument which includes the site of the early post medieval hall and part of the moat, now infilled. The programme of work was initiated as a result of proposals to rebuild a boundary wall, lay a garden path and an area of hard-standing at the site entrance, as well as run a new electric cable and rebuild a pair of gate piers. A linear cut was encountered in trench 1, which was infilled with clay and sandstone blocks; this has been interpreted at the remains of the south elevation of the early post medieval hall. A potential group of post hole pits were recorded within the building, these together with the number of post medieval finds, suggest the house has considerable archaeological potential. Other features recorded may represent drains of late post medieval origin. In trench 5, located at the original entrance to the property, substantial sandstone footings were encountered which coincided with the west fank of the causeway across the moat. Abutting these footings was section of east-west wall. This implies that the earthen bank of the causeway was revetted by sandstone walls. The east-west section of walling may represent a buttress of sorts, of the same date or maybe a later addition. (1)