Monument record 1032/2 - Oulton Mills

<1> Various, Cheshire History, vol.11 p.55 Bott O J P (Journal/Periodical). SCH811.

Corn Mill recorded 1187-1286: A later building survives (see CHER 1032/1).

<2> Williams SR, 1970s-1980s, Rhys Williams' Aerial Photographs, Rushton 4 Williams S R 1981 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4607.

<3> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

Depicts a mill and the mill pond.

<4> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol.III p.291 (Book). SCH3228.

First mentioned 1257. Later references in 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.

<5> Gifford and Partners, 1998, Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Oulton Mill, Little Budworth, Cheshire, p.3 & 4 (Client Report). SCH3985.

A trench situated between the south-western elevation of the mill building and the mill dams revetment wall revealed a c.0.55m layer which contained whole and half bricks. This was interpreted as debris associated with the construction of the mill building (see CHER 1032/1). From a trench excavated against the north-east elevation finds indicated a substantial post medieval demolition layers beneath or the mill building. In addittion, waterlogged conditions had preserved a number of worked timbers which appeared to have formed part of a mechanism probably associated with the internal workings of the mill.

<6> Gifford and Partners, 1997, Report on an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Oulton Mill, Beech Lane, Little Budworth, Cheshire, p.9-10 (Client Report). SCH4041.

references to the mill continue throughout the medieval and post medieval period. The presence of more than one mill is established in the leases for 'Oulton Mills' dating from 1713, 1719 and 1746. The latter lease records the mill complex as comprising two rye mills, one wheat mill, an iron furnace and two cottages.

<7> Saxton, 1577, Map of Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3764.

A mill is depicted at Oulton.

<8> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 14/08/2013 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The site comprises a large c.3.5 hectare mill pond retained by a dam. In common with many Cheshire mill sites which date from the medieval period, the mill building is located astride the dam. It is probable that the earlier mill buildings shared this location. It’s unfortunate that the 1997 watching brief was unable to establish whether the brick and timbers exposed were associated with the present mill building or a preceding one.