Monument record 7626 - Cropmarks at Wallhill Farm

<1> The GeoInformation Group, 1999-2001, Millennium Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH4609.

Two parallel linear cropmarks aligned north-north-east to south-south-west and curving at the southern end to the south east. The cropmarks are c.90m long and are c.8m apart.

<2> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Adams M, 30/07/2015 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The cropmarks may be two parallel ditches, possibly flanking a trackway or part of an enclosure.

<3> British Library, 1756-Present, Additional Manuscripts (Addit. MS.), Mss 11, 338 Folios 71-71 Foote Gower (Paper Archive). SCH122.

First identified by Dr Gower in 1725, who records a sixty statute acres enclosure at Wallfield, near the principal farmhouse, of parallelogram shape with the rampart and ditch in a relatively well preserved state. Towards the middle of the two longest sides were marks of two military roads, one to Astbury, the other to Middlewich. In 1744 Dr Gower reports that the earthworks had been levelled apart from one angle. Believed to be Roman.

<4> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p.74, p.298-9 (Book). SCH2878.

Suggests that Wall Hill, as opposed to the Wall Field reported by Dr Gower is, is the most likely location. The camp was visible in 1874 as a slight earthwork. Suggests that this is a temporary camp due to the absence of building remains or artefacts, though notes that sixty statute acres is large for a temporary Roman camp. Includes a detailed transcript of Dr Gower’s report.

<5> Earwaker J P, 1877, Roman Remains in the Eastern Part of Cheshire, p.85 (Article in Journal). SCH9240.

Believes the camp has been incorrectly attributed to Hulme Walfield and is instead located at Wall Hill, west of Asttbury.

<6> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 02/08/2022 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

It is possible that this is the site referred to Dr Gower in Foote Gower’s account (see 3) and in later antiquarian sources (see 4). See CHER 1161/1 for alternative location.