Monument record 14479 - Site of Seventeenth Century Barn, Culcheth, Warrington

<1> BEAR Archaeology, 2018, Land off Culcheth Hall Drive, Culcheth, Warrington: Archaeological Project, R4270 (Client Report). SCH8625.

An archaeological strip, map and record excavation was undertaken on land off Culcheth Hall Drive, Culcheth, in advance of redevelopment for residential purposes. The development envelope contained the remains of a seventeenth-century agricultural building, known locally as a 'Tithe' Barn. The building was designated as Grade III Listed between 1947 and 1967, but was thereafter de-listed and subsequently demolished. However, remains of the foundations of the demolished building were still visible prompting the excavation.

There is limited documentary information regarding the barn, although cartographic evidence establishes that the building was in use by the mid-nineteenth century. At this stage it was a simple linear structure. Within 50 years it had been extended to the east (Building B) and to the west by Building C (not excavated). Photographic sources evidence a fine brick-built structure with large window openings on one of the gables, along with a possible chimney stack. Both are not typical of an agricultural building, and are likely to be later additions.

The area of the building was located using GPS and was located within an area of mature trees which are subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Due to potential impacts with root systems, the southern and western extents of the building remain unexcavated, and only the northern and eastern sides of the building were exposed during this project. It was evident that when the building was demolished, most of the material was removed and in places even the foundations had been grubbed out. However, the remains recorded were enough to date the building and ascertain, at least in part, some of its form and function. The building had at least two phases, the main structure (Building A), and a small brick extension on the east elevation (Building B). It was subdivided into three bays, with hand made brick walls and a stone flagged roof. The floor was a combination of adobe clay and brick. Evidence of internal division was evidenced by post pads. The barn is late seventeenth/early eighteenth century in date based on its form. A small extension along the north wall of the main barn was used to house animals. Again, the walls are brick and the roof covering was Welsh slate. Its floor was brick and possibly stone flags which had been robbed out. The style of the building is mid nineteenth century. Bricks used in the construction of Building A were hand-made in wooden moulds. They are relatively irregular and thin compared to modern bricks (post-1850s) and have a rough texture. Bricks taken from Building B are a combination of reused handmade units to machine made. There was no evidence for makers marks therefore both brick units would have been made locally.