Site Event/Activity record ECH6986 - Land East of New Warrington Road, Wincham, Cheshire: Archaeological Investigation

An archaeological targeted strip, map and sample was undertaken in 2021 on land east of New Warrington Road, Wincham, Cheshire in July 2021, in advance of a residential development. The scheme of archaeological works comprised an open area excavation, measuring 45m by 37m, targeting the site of the former Heath Farm, Heath Lane, specifically part of the farmhouse and yard area to its south side. The archaeological works comprised the excavation of a single open area which encountered below ground remains of the early 19th-century farmhouse known as Heath Farm, its associated yard, pigsties and orchard structure interpreted as a bee house. Masonry structural remains were encountered and appeared to have been incorporated into the later farmhouse structure. The stone footings observed may have formed a two-unit type building of probable 18th-century or earlier date. It was established that the farmstead was a dairy farm in use throughout the 19th and 20th century. The use of the earlier structure could not be determined and it may have functioned for agricultural, industrial (salt mining) or domestic use, or all. The buildings displayed episodes of alteration and remodelling, but the farmstead as a whole appeared relatively unchanged throughout the 19th and 20th century. The farmstead was abandoned and subsequently demolished in the mid-20th century. The artefactual evidence of the site largely dates to the same period, although some 18th-century pottery was also recovered. (1)