Monument record 2274/2/4 - Well and Grotto feature, Marbury Hall Park and Gardens

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6576, 1877 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

A well is shown at this location and a wider irregular section of path

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1881-2, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 6 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6576, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH2474.

A well is marked at this location.

<3> Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM), 2009-2019, Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) Newsletter, Autumn 2017 (Newsletter). SCH8628.

Report on investigations of a man-made hollow near the Ice House in 2017. Information from maps surveyed in 1877, which showed a well and a few squiggles near to where the hollow lies. The maps also showed a path running from the lime avenues through Big Wood to a summer house, which used to stand near the bird hide in Big Wood. This path continued from the summer house, past the Ice Pond and through the hollow area, to join with the path along the Mere edge.

There were some suggestions that it was once a cock fighting pit, but no evidence to support that. Though more likely to be an artificial feature or Grotto in the parkland. Mud and debris cleared to uncover a good flight of steps and the entrance was opened up. Stonework of a possible ornamental well uncovered. On the opposite side of the hollow, stones which could have formed a seating area were found. A new drain has been installed which should prevent water collecting in the area.

<4> Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM), 2018, Marbury Summerhouse and Grotto (Unpublished Report). SCH8627.

The site of the well lies in a hollow beneath trees near the edge of an ornamental canal adjacent to Budworth Mere. Two small sandstone posts, 0.5 m. high, mark the beginning of a path that leads down to sandstone steps into
the hollow. The ‘well’ is a small pool about 30 cm. deep with a man-made base and front edge. Water trickles from the bank into the pool, which drains via an underground pipe into the ornamental canal. Local residents have referred this area
as a cock-fighting pit, but the pool appears to be part of an ornamental feature (grotto?) created in the hollow with two limestone ‘seating areas’ on the perimeter.