Site Event/Activity record ECH6676 - Archaeological Mitigation Works at City House, Chester

An archaeological evaluation (strip, map and record), also a watching brief, were undertaken in 2018 at City House, Chester, in advance of its re-development into a care home. The work followed on from a desk-based assessment (ECH5880) which identified potential for archaeological remains on site. The site lies within the City Centre Conservation Area and within Character Zone 63: Newtown. Evidence of Roman and Medieval agricultural activity has been recorded in the surrounding area; with known Civil War defences positioned across the south of the site. The area became an established industrial zone in the 19th century with mills, offices, railways and the Grade II* listed Leadworks and Shot tower in the immediate vicinity. The excavation identified well preserved footings for the Methodist Chapel that occupied the site, as well as footings of the original 19th century cottages, which were cut by the extensions of the Methodist Chapel, seen in the historic mapping. The watching brief recorded a series of modern concrete, mixed rubble and loamy clay deposits within the footprint of City House. Within trench three, one of the investigative trenches, a small brick wall was identified thought to be the remains of a brick cellar associated with City House. (1)