Monument record 4663/1 - Drainage or Inundation System near Meadows Farm

A substantial network of channels or drains associated with a number of sluices is depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25" to 1 mile map (1).

There are two main channels or drains which converge to the north west of Big Large's Gorse, both of which are still in use. The western channel/drain runs connects with a brook flowing north west from Cuddington Heath, near Soughan's Farm, reconnecting with the brook 1km to the north (west of Big Large's Gorse). The intervening section of the brook's natural course (which is also the township boundary between Church Shocklach and Horton cum Malpas) is preseved in the field boundaries, but does not appear to be flowing. There are a number of sluices are depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25" to 1 mile map along the northern section of the brook once the western channel/drain has connected. The eastern channel runs from a natural spring or well at Chorlton Old Hall (CHER1684/1). Some interconnecting drains/channels survive in the area around Meadows Farm, others may be preseved within the field boundaries in an area of regular fields to the north west of the farm. These features may form part of a post medieval field drainage system, or an inundation system for water meadows (see CHER4663/2), something which may be reflected in the name of Meadow Farm nearby (2).

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

<2> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, Various, Farm Environment Plan Consultation for Higher Level Stewardship, 2663/482/2/CCH1303 (Written Communication). SCH5182.