Site Event/Activity record ECH6655 - Marbury Summerhouse and Grotto Investigation

Investigations by the Friends of Marbury and Anderton (FoAM) into a possible grotto and excavation of the footings at the location of a Summerhouse. Aa man-made hollow near the Ice house. Previously some suggestions that the are might have been a cock fighting pit but no evidence found to support that. Research by the Cheshire Gardens Trust suggested that the it might be an artifical feature or grotto in the parkland. Investigation in November removed a 50cm covering of debris mud and dead timber over a hard surface. A flight of steps and entrance were uncovered and stonework of a possible ornamental well and seating area on the opposite side of the hollow. New drain installed to prevent water gathering in the area. Following the grotto investigations, the same year excavations took place on the site of the summerhouse (grid reference 6565 7655) there are concrete and brick foundations of a small L-shaped building. There are also the remains of a hearth. Artefacts retrieved include bricks, floor tiles, ridge tiles, slates, iron door latch, lead and diamond-shaped window glass