Site Event/Activity record ECH7311 - Archaeological metal detecting survey on Land at Goldborne Road, Winwick, Warrington

An archaeological metal detecting survey was undertaken in 2023 on Land at Goldborne Road, Winwick, Warrington (NGR SJ 6064 9332) during early summer 2023, prior to development of the site. The site borders the site of the Battle of Winwick (also termed the Battle of Red Bank), a Historic England Registered Battlefield site (NHLE 1412878). This battle represented the last major battle of the Second English Civil War and resulted in the disbanding of Royalist Infantry following the Parliamentarian victory in the engagement during 1648. Additionally, previous surveys indicate the battlefield remains to be remarkably well preserved. Whilst the proposed development area does not extend into the area protected by Historic England there exists the potential that the battle may have strayed onto the site during the conflict. It was also thought that there was moderate potential for Roman activity and a low potential for Medieval activity. The subsequent metal detector survey retrieved 97 metal finds, weighing 11.3kg, primarily composed of iron, along with other materials such as lead, aluminium, copper alloy, steel, and brass. Object types include bolts, rods, nails, hinges, chains, coins/tokens, and various unidentified items. These findings likely derive from post-medieval to modern activity, with the majority of items likely originating from mechanical agricultural machinery. No artefacts associated with the Battle of Winwick were recovered, nor were any finds predating the post-medieval period. (1)