Monument record 15934 - Marksend Quarries

<1> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 339/2, 1850 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

Plots 694, 699, and 701 are described as quarries. Plot 695, to the west of Lidgetts Lane is called 'Coal-pit Hillock'. Plot 703 is named Engine Field.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ9475, 1873 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The area of the quarries is broadly equivalent to that depicted on the 1850 tithe map. The quarries contain a number of buildings and trackways. At the south-eastern end the quarries are labelled 'Parks end Quarries'. A crane is depicted here. To the north-west is a larger quarry (labelled 'Quarry') with more buildings and a chimney on the western edge. To the north-west of this quarry is a small quarry labelled 'Old Quarry'. To the south-east (at the southern end of the ridge) is a a further three quarries and a further quarry labelled 'Old'. Two buildings are depicted in this area.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ9475, 1897-1899 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

The quarries have expanded to the north and east. The buildings depicted on the 1873 map are no longer extant, with new buildings depicted within the area of the quarry. Two short tramways are also depicted here. The chimney is still extant, but isn't labelled. The quarries are labelled at their south-eastern end as 'Marksend Quarries'. The quarry workings to the south-east appear to be almost contiguous, but possibly unconnected. As with the main quarry area, the buildings depicted on the 1873 map are no longer extant, with new buildings depicted in new locations.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ9475, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

The quarries have expanded to the north, east, and south-east. Most of the buildings depicted on the 1897-1899 map are still extant, and new buildings have been constructed. The chimney is still extant, but isn't labelled. Two tramways are depicted, but in a different location to the earlier map. Three cranes are also depicted within the quarries. The quarries are labelled at their south-eastern end as 'Marksend Quarries'. The adjacent quarry workings are now contiguous and possibly disused.

<5> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, 106G UK 645, 11/08/45 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

The extent of the quarries are largely similar to that depicted on the 1909 map. Vegetation within the area of the quarries suggest that only the central-east, and possibly northern, parts are being actively worked. few buildings are visible.

<6> University of Southampton, 2005, Stone in Archaeology, Marksend Quarry, Kerridge (Digital Archive). SCH9532.

Quarried Kerridge Stone, a sandstone dating from the Carboniferous period. Also known as Kerridge Slabs. Quarrying of this stone is believed to extend back to the early sixteenth century around Kerridge Hill and many quarries can be found running along the hill during the nineteenth century, the majority of which specialised in producing roofing slabs. Only two quarries remain today exploiting stone for a range of purposes.

<7> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, Composite DTM 1m 2022 (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

The full extent of the quarrying, which is extensive, and the associated spoil is clearly visible.

<8> Boddington, T, 1994 - 2023, Bollington Live!, no. 9 p.13-14 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH9533.

<9> Historic England, 2023, Building Stones Database for England, 683 (Digital Archive). SCH9534.

Marksend Quarry, a source of Kerridge Stone, which is also known as Milnrow Sandstone and Lower Coal Measures Sandstones. The stone dates from the Carboniferous period. One of a series of individually named sandstone units up to twenty-five metres thick (Woodhead Hill Rock, Milnrow Sandstone, Ridge Stone, Kerridge Stone, Old Lawrence Rock) which are virtually indistinguishable when ex-situ. Confined to north-eastern Cheshire, occuring as a series of North to South or North-east to South-west trending linear exposures from near Bollington to south of High Lane via Higher Poynton - Handleybarn.

<10> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Land Line and Master Map Vector Maps, 08/01/2024 (Maps and Plans). SCH4491.

<11> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

Not one of the Kerridge quarries depicted on this map.