Monument record 11019 - Post medieval boundary ditch at the Roodee

Archaeological investigations in the central area of the Roodee Racecourse in 2006 and 2008 to the west of the present trainers pavilion identified evidence of a substantial ditch on a northwest to southeast alignment across the site.

Investigations in 2006 at the new parade ring identified a ditch [context 16] aligned northwest to southeast across the site containing material of a late post medieval date. It was suggested that this ditch represented a former boundary (1)

The evidence from 2008 consisted of a substantial ditch [context 34] in trench 7 to the northwest of the site containing quantities of sandstone fragments, brick/tile and charcoal flecks. It was probably related to the earlier ditch recorded in 2006. A second ditch section recorded in the southwest part of the site [trench 6 – context 64] is also tentatively linked to this ditch. (2)

<1> Gifford and Partners, 2009, Chester Racecourse: Alterations and Improvements to the Parade Ring. Archaeological Watching Brief, R3057 (Client Report). SCH5424.

<2> Gifford and Partners, 2008, Chester Racecourse: Owners and Trainers Pavilion. Archaeological Watching Brief, R3036 (Client Report). SCH5401.