Monument record 15547 - Site of Crow's Nest Farm, Daresbury

<1> L-P Archaeology, 2021, Historic Building Recording at Crow's Nest Farm, Daresbury, R4586 (Client Report). SCH9192.

A historic building survey was undertaken in 2021 of Crow’s Nest Farm, Daresbury, prior to the demolition of the farm buildings and re-development of the site. It was formerly a dairy farm and the buildings predominately dated to the late 18th century, with later 19th, 20th and 21st century alteration, extensions and modifications evident. Re-used red sandstone dressed blocks encountered across the site and a possible in situ earlier wall suggest the farmstead may have had earlier origins of a potential 16th to 17th century date.

Six broad phases of construction were identified at the site, demonstrating its development between the post medieval and modern periods. The first phase identified related to the possible earlier farmhouse with an in situ wall identified within the farmhouse core, and the earlier materials incorporated into the later farmhouse and farm buildings. The second phase related to the construction of the late 18th century farmhouse core interpreted as a two storey two unit type with humans and livestock under one roof, similar to a laithe house, and the construction of the threshing barn to the south-east of the farmhouse. The third phase also dated to the late 18th century and related to the construction of the double-pile farmhouse extension with cellar and garret. Also associated with this third phase was the construction of a combination barn with integral cow house, hayloft, and possible stable. The fourth phase was represented by the construction of a stable block with room above. The fifth phase related to alterations to the farmhouse and barn range, with the introduction of a granary and grain processing room. The final phase was represented by 20th and 21st century alteration, constructions and modifications to the farmhouse and barn buildings. The farmstead developed in piecemeal fashion and underwent a period of economic growth in the late 18th century correlating to a period of industrial growth within the region. No late 20th century diversification and modification was identified at the site, in relation to farming practices, suggesting the farmstead had ceased being a dairy farm by this time, correlating with changes in legislation with dairy farming and the centralisation of milk and cheese production.

The farmstead is depicted on Greenwood’s map of Cheshire (1819). Although the map is not detailed, it shows two structures on the east side of the Duke of Bridgewater Canal in the location of the farmstead. The buildings shown appear to represent the farmhouse structure and the L shape barn range.

The farm is also depicted on the Keckwick tithe map of 1844 and appears as a loose courtyard plan of detached buildings. The accompanying tithe apportionment indicates that farmstead comprised approximately 172 acres, and was owned by Sir Richard Brooke of Norton Priory and was occupied by Ralph Tickle. The apportionment records that the farm had approximately 82 acres assigned to pasture, 57 acres to crops, fifteen acres to hay making, and twelve acres to cover crops. The farmstead is not named on the map or accompanying apportionment but the census return of 1841 indicates that the farm was called ‘Norwood Farm’ in the mid 19th century.

The first edition 25-inch OS map of 1874, demonstrates a phase of expansion at the farmstead. The farm is now annotated as ‘The Crow’s Nest’. Three extensions have been added to the north side of the farmhouse west range, and a row of small structures are depicted against the east side wall of the garden to the south of the farmhouse, these likely represent pigsties. The second and third editions of Ordnance Survey maps again show the farm in detail with some additions to the buildings.

The farm lies immediately to the south-east of George Gleave’s Bridge which is a Grade 2 listed structure. The bridge is an accommodation bridge and was built c. 1772, by James Brindley for the Duke of Bridgewater. An accommodation bridge preserves a pre-existing private road, path or right of way when a major transport route is built across it. The Daresbury District Heritage Group (DDHG 2021) state that the bridge was named after an occupant of the farmstead, it is not clear how this is known, but perhaps it is through local oral history.