Monument record 14331 - Site of Fence House/Fence Cottage, East of Fence Avenue

<1> University of Salford (Centre for Applied Archaeology), 2015, The King's School, Fence Avenue, Macclesfield: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment, R4226 (Client Report). SCH8555.

An archaeological desk based assessment was undertaken in 2015 for The King's School, Fence Avenue, Macclesfield. The King's School, built in 1908-9, is located on the former site of Fence House, depicted on the 1849 Tithe map for Hurdsfield Township (source 2). The tithe apportionment records the following description for Plot 163: 'Fence House Outbuildings Lawn and Garden', owned by William Smythe and occupied by Thomas Brocklehurst.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, Hurdsfield Township (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

Three buildings are depicted on the Tithe Map - the main house, a complex of buildings to the east of the house, and a smaller building again to the east. A grid of pathways in the grounds of the house are also depicted.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The OS first edition map shows more detail for the site with several more outbuildings and glasshouses now present.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

Fence House is not depicted on the OS second edition map, so has been demolished by this date, although the associated outbuildings to the east are still depicted and labelled 'Fence Cottage'. A smaller building now occupies part of the original site of the house.

<5> Eden Heritage Ltd, 2021, The King's School, Fence Avenue, Macclesfield, Cheshire: Archaeological Watching Brief Report, R4542 (Client Report). SCH9117.

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken in 2021 on land at The King’s School prior to proposed re-development. The aim of the watching brief was to record any remains of 'Fence House' during the excavation of a new access road at the south-west corner of the proposed development area. A drain was identified on the east side of the site which may have related to a small post-medieval building associated with Fence Cottage. No evidence of Fence House itself was revealed, which suggests that this building was demolished to its foundations, possibly when the main building at The King’s School was constructed, or that it lay just outside of the proposed development area to the south.