Monument record 4548 - Church Lane

Church Lane - a disused lane c.3m wide leading c.200m down slope southwards from the churchyard. There are dry ashlar sandstone walls on each side. The visible ground surface is earth. About half way along the gradient increases and the lane becomes rock cut to a depth of more than 1.0m, with sandstone walls retaining a further c.0.5m. On the tithe map it appears to debouche onto the Town fields. In view of its form, depth and location, it probably originated as an earlier (?Medieval) worn trackway which has been improved in the Post-Medieval/Modern period (?18th or 19th century) by cutting straight sides into the sandstone bedrock and revetting with ashlar masonry in places. The lane is locally important as an exceptionally well-preserved historic routeway between the village and its fields. The lane was heavily overgrown when visited in july 2006 but is in good condition. It was refurbished under the auspices of the Parish Council in the 1970's when a hedge was planted along the top and some of the ashlar repaired. Tree growth on the top of the wall appears to be dislodging some of the blocks and some vegetation management may be advisable.

<1> Chester Archaeology, 2006, Site at Great Barrow, Morris 25/08/06 (Written Communication). SCH4664.