Monument record 14979/1 - Warmingham Moss

<1> Leah, MD; Wells, CE; Appleby, C; Huckerby, E, 1997, The Wetlands of Cheshire (North West Wetlands Survey 4), p.131-3 (Monograph). SCH3260.

Warmingham Moss, was investigated by the North West Wetlands project, an archaeological and paleoecological study of the varied wetlands of Cheshire, undertaken between 1993-95. It was one of at least five adjoining mosses (Warmingham, Coppenhall, Meybury's or Maplin's, Leighton and Minshull) which once formed one of the most extensive tracts of peatland in Cheshire, located to the north of Crewe. Virtually no trace of the peatland remains today, the only clue to its existence being placename evidence and a regular field pattern. Four townships shared this moss and could claim turbary rights. A large stone is said to have marked the boundary of the four townships.

Warmingham Moss was the earliest to be been enclosed in the 1790s by the Crewe Estate or its tenants at the estate’s instigation. Earlier attempts to drain the moss in the 1780s were abandoned due to cost. The enclosed moss rooms were initially let rent free to encourage improvement. Due to drainage and improvement for agriculture, this former wetland has no paleoenvironmental potential.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 414/2 c.1840 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

An area of linear enclosures known as moss rooms are depicted to the west of Lane Ends.

<3> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, CPE UK 1935 17/01/1947 or 106G UK 1459 02/04/1946 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

Many of the field boundaries associated with the moss rooms have been removed, but often survive as earthworks. Narrow ridge and furrow, possibly steam ploughing, is evident in both the area of the enclosed moss rooms and the eighteenth century and later enclosure to the west and north west.