Monument record 7415 - Military activity at Eddisbury Hillfort

Eddisbury is essentially comprised of three areas; the main body of the hillfort including an entrance on the eastern line of the rampart, the north-western end adjacent to Old Pale Farm including a second entrance, and Merrick’s Hill to the south-east (or the Chamber in the Forest) where medieval reoccupation included a royal hunting lodge. Eddisbury was first included on the Schedule in 1934.

Traces of military activity dating to the Second World War was encountered during recent investigations at Merrick’s Hill, Eddisbury. The evidence primarily consisted of a 0.5m rock-cut waste pit filled with modern waste including food & drink containers and water purification kits. It is probable this activity is associated with the World War II camp at Delamere, housing some 15,000 American troops and later Polish refuges. (1)

<1> Mason, R, 2011, Excavations at Merrick's Hill, Eddisbury Hillfort 2011 (Unpublished Report). SCH7327.

<2> Cheshire West and Chester Historic Environment Service, 2012, Report on an archaeological evaluation at Eddisbury Hillfort (DRAFT) (Unpublished Report). SCH7285.