Monument record 15727 - Ridge and Furrow in Rainow Parish

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Summary

Parallel linear earthworks in the form of distinct ridges and troughs known as ridge and furrow formed by cultivation practices. These earthworks are located within the parish of Rainow. Some of the earthworks appeared to have been levelled or destroyed by 2011. Ridge and furrow earthworks date from the medieval period to the nineteenth century. Medieval ridge and furrow tend to have wider ridges and furrows which often have a curving or reversed S form. Later ridge and furrow is narrower and more regular. Nineteenth century ridge and furrow is very narrow and very regular having been created by steam ploughing. Steam ploughing is where a plough drawn between two steam traction engines, or a traction engine and a moveable windlass, standing on opposite headlands.

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Type and Period (2)

Full Description

<1> Historic England & Archaeological Research Services, 2017, Cheshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Sampling the Peak Fringe, Cheshire Plain and Mersey Valley, 1600776 (Digital Archive). SCH8172.

Medieval and / or post medieval ridge and furrow ploughing within the parish of Rainow is visible as extant earthworks and cropmarks centred at approximately SJ 965 769 on vertical aerial photography and lidar. The ridge and furrow has been destroyed by later quarrying at one location.

The ridge and furrow appears to have been associated with field boundaries (UIDs 1599381, 1599418, 1599422, 1599458, 1599511, 1599513, 1599516, 1599526, 1599530, 1599533, 1599568, 1599577, 1599612, 1599665, 1599674, 1599690, 1599718, 1599739, 1600816, 1600819, 1600823, 1600910, 1600915, 1600936, 1600957, 1600958, 1600970 and 1600990) in various locations within the parish, and has been destroyed in places by hollow ways (UIDs 1599657, 1600824 and 1600942), later coal workings (UIDs 1599620, 1600960, 1600985 and 1600997) and quarrying (UID 1599741) (see 2-4).

<2> Next Perspectives, 2011, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (2011), SJ9676 08/04/2011 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8291.

<3> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, SJ9676 FIRST RETURN 19-22/04/2007 (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

<4> The GeoInformation Group, 1999-2001, Millennium Survey, 19/06/2000 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4609.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1>XY Digital Archive: Historic England & Archaeological Research Services. 2017. Cheshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Sampling the Peak Fringe, Cheshire Plain and Mersey Valley. N/A. 1600776. [Mapped features: #54886 1599163; #54887 1599163]
  • <2> Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2011. Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (2011). N/A. SJ9676 08/04/2011.
  • <3> Digital Archive: Environment Agency. 2003-2020. Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys. N/A. SJ9676 FIRST RETURN 19-22/04/2007.
  • <4> Aerial Photograph: The GeoInformation Group. 1999-2001. Millennium Survey. New Cheshire. 19/06/2000.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 966 762 (5670m by 5933m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ97NE
Civil Parish RAINOW, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE EAST
Historic Township/Parish/County RAINOW, PRESTBURY, CHESHIRE

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Record last edited

Apr 22 2025 4:05PM