Monument record 10850 - Chester Leadworks

The Leadworks was established in 1800 by Samuel Walker for the manufacture of lead and lead shot, initially taking advantage of the recently built Shropshire Union Canal, the Leadworks later benefitted from the proximity of the railways in the mid 19th century. (3) Recommended for listing grade I (1981). Engine house and later buildings to the northwest of the tower are less important but recommended for listing also (also in 1981). As the complex is a working factory, it is unsuitable for scheduling (13).

The production of lead shot using a shot tower was first patented by William Watts in 1783, later taken over by the Walker, Parker and Maltby families. As part of the lead processing, lead carbonate – or white lead – was produced during the lead stacks phase of production and used for paint pigment. A later product also manufactured during the production of lead shot is red lead used in glass manufacture, pottery glazing and as a paint pigment. Chester produced both white and red lead. (3)

Several phases of development of the Leadworks complex have been identified from cartographic and documentary sources.

The complex in 1833, based on Wood’s plan of Chester, consisted of five main buildings – the Leadworks and Shot Tower (CHER 10850/1) was smaller than its current extent with evidence of second detached structure immediately to the east, the paint chamber and pipe mill to the west(CHER 10850/2), traces of an early leadstacks building to the north(CHER 10850/7) and what is now known as Queen’s House (CHER 11272).

The main development in the period between 1833 and 1840 is the extension of the leadstacks to accommodate the Potters Ryde. Following this, the period 1840 to 1870 saw significant expansion to the complex with particularly to the main leadworks building amalgamating the original building and the adjacent stores, and to the leadstacks with the addition of the Middle Ryde. 1870-1872 saw the addition of the Cooperage as part of the leadstacks and Whitelead House. Expansion to the east of the Leadworks in this period resulted in the construction of the offices (CHER 10850/3), the blacksmiths and wheelwrights (CHER 10850/4) saw mills, fitting shop and acid house (CHER 10850/5) and adjacent furnaces (CHER 10850/6). Expansion east of the leadstacks also resulted in the construction of a series of sheds (CHER 10850/8) and the gasworks (CHER 10850/9).
In 1908, although few new buildings were added, many of the existing structures underwent significant alteration or rebuilding and finally in the mid 20th century the site substantially expanded again to the east, almost doubling in size (CHER 10850/10). (7)

Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2001, Site summary of archaeological evaluation at the Leadworks in 2001, R3221 (Client Report). SCH6567.

Archaeological investigations to the north of the leadworks encountered a circular brick structure and traces of waste ash from a nearby engine house. Although the exact purpose of the structure was not determined, it was suggested that it formed part of a horse powered lead grinding mill. However, the location of this investigation is not accurately known.

L-P Archaeology, 2016, The Leadworks, Chester. Desk Based Assessment, R3867 (Client Report). SCH8018.

Desk-based assessment produced in 2016 for the leadworks site prior to proposed re-development. The key heritage asset on the site is the surviving Leadworks buildings, which comprise an engine house, a white lead building, the south gables of four brick sheds and a shot tower. The tower is the only surviving example from the industrial period in the country and the complex is considered nationally important due to its early origins and range of relatively well preserved buildings. The complex is listed as Grade II*. The proposed development involves the retention of the standing buildings.

L-P Archaeology, 2019, Archaeological Investigation Report for Leadworks, Chester, R4390 (Client Report). SCH8815.

Archaeological investigations were carried out in 2019 at the Leadworks site, Chester, prior to renovation and construction of new dwellings. Large areas of below ground survival were recorded across the east, southern and northern parts of the site. This included interior and exterior brick walls, with brick and tile flooring and complex multi flues system; associated with the stoves, white leadhouse and packing room. It is thought many of the features date to the first phase of the Leadworks, pre 1875, after which the site was developed and activity centres re-distributed. During the 1940s concrete flooring was laid over the site, preserving many of the features in situ, as well as areas of original exterior cobbling and train tracks. The south-west area of the site had a large concentration of black glazed pot fragments most likely to have been used to contain acetic acid for use in the lead stack process. Due to on-site constraints and the contaminated nature of the site, no finds were retained nor was the natural exposed.

Archaeological Research Services Ltd, 2024, Archaeological Excavation: City Place, Charterhall Drive, Chester (Plots 8 and 9), R4837 (Client Report). SCH9775.

Archaeological investigation occurred in 2024 at City Place, Charterhall Drive, the site of the eastern extent of the former Chester Leadworks, more latterly a car park, prior to re-development of the site for residential purposes. Due to the historical significance of the leadworks, in particular the Shot Tower, and the importance of Chester as a major producer of lead during the Industrial Period, archaeological investigation was deemed necessary across the entirety of the development area. Historical maps, supported by aerial photography, depict the development of the leadworks across the site.

The excavation uncovered the structural remains of the former Chester Leadworks across the entirety of the development area. Concrete surfaces represented the most recent phase of the leadworks in the 20th century. Potential locations for the Bag Filter Room and Cornell plant were revealed via two square brick-built structures in the north-western corner of site, which also housed a large circular steel plate likely associated with a mid-19th century fireplace. A probable acid tank suggested the location of the Acid House along the northern boundary, however this also prevented further excavation to the west as a result, due to possible contaminants. Fittings within the concrete in the centre of site potentially marked the location of the Assay Room. To the east, a railway was observed extending from north to south with two railway lines, an adjoining concrete loading platform and ramp to the east of the rail line. Beneath this were two north-south aligned parallel walls representing the foundations of the De-silvering Refinery. East to west running flue and chimney systems were observed including a flue connected to a square brick chimney beneath the De-silverising Refinery and an S-shaped flue which skirted a large brick and concrete built platform. Brick-built footbridges across an open topped flue suggested the existence of a potential furnace.

Although the correlation between the remains of the structural layout revealed during excavation and the buildings marked on historic maps appeared accurate, the attribution of functional zones proved difficult due to a lack of material evidence. Additionally, high levels of contaminates prevented investigation across large parts of the site specifically to the west and south-east.

<1> L - P Archaeology, 2000, Archaeological Desk based Assessment for the Leadworks, Chester, R3182 (Client Report). SCH6363.

<2> L - P Archaeology, 2000, Historic Buildings Assessment of the Leadworks, Chester, R3341 (Client Report). SCH6830.

<3> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2011, Refurbishment of an Existing Store at 54 - 60 Foregate Street, Chester, R3221 (Client Report). SCH6587.

<4> L - P Archaeology, 2001, Archaeological Impact Assessment and Mitigation Statement for the Leadworks, Chester, R3187 (Client Report). SCH6364.

<5> L - P Archaeology, 2001, Historic Buildings Impact Assessment at the Leadworks of Chester, R3172 (Client Report). SCH6300.

<6> L - P Archaeology, 2002, Further Supporting Documents for the Leadworks, Chester, R3181 (Client Report). SCH6362.

<7> L - P Archaeology, 2002, Archaeological Evaluation of The Leadworks, Chester., R2713 (Client Report). SCH4830.

<8> L - P Archaeology, 2002, Archaeological Building Recording on land known as The Leadworks, Chester, R3342 (Client Report). SCH6196.

<9> L - P Archaeology, 2003, Historic Buildings Supporting Statement, Leadworks Chester, R3224 (Client Report). SCH6570.

<10> L - P Archaeology, 2003, Watching brief report on land at the Leadworks, Chester, R3222 (Client Report). SCH6568.

<11> L - P Archaeology, 2004, Addendum to Archaeological Impact Assessment of land at the Leadworks, Chester, R3223 (Client Report). SCH6569.

<12> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<13> Cranstone. D, 1990, MPP Lead Industry Step Report 3. (Report). SCH4344.

<14> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, p.32 (Book). SCH3181.