Monument record 7543 - Earthworks on Bolesworth Hill

<1> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Bawn, W 05-08/2013 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

There are several earthworks on Bolesworth Hill which look like large saucer like depressions about 20 feet in diameter. These may be associated with smelting, being wind-blown smelting structures called boles. Also there are several references to the origin of the name Bolesworth suggesting it derives from 'bowl', though the tithe map also refers to two of the fields as 'coal pit field'. Metal detecting has not revealed any remains of smelting. However, Justine Bayley of the Historical Metallurgy Society suggests that finds would be rare on such a site. There are also documentary references to attempts to find copper on the estate.

<2> Bluesky International Ltd, 2005-2006, 2005-2006 Bluesky Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH5483.

Five circular depressions (earthworks) are visible on aerial photographs dating to 2005-6. The features are very regular in thier appearence and layout, and are c.44m in diameter.

<3> Inforterra, 2010, Cheshire Sandstone Ridge LiDAR Survey
Sandstone Ridge (Digital Archive). SCH7194.

The earthworks are clearly visible on the digital terrain model. They appear slighly less regular than on aerial photographs (see 2), but distinct in character from marl pits adjacent (and to the south of) Bolesworth Hill Farm and the old quarries on the escarpment.

<4> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 72/2 c.1840 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The northern and eastern of the earthworks are depicted on the tithe map as ponds. The plot names for the fields containing the eastern earthwork are Near Coal Pit Field and Far Coal Pit Field.