Monument record 7977/3 - Circular Weir at Manor House, North Rode

<1> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report (Report). SCH6655.

Circular weir, a complex hydraulic structure built 1814-18.

Historic maps show that the overflow at North Rode was constructed between 1814
and 1818. (The lake is shown at least half full by 1819).

The circular overflow is located at the south east end of the lake and close to the dam.
The outer edge of the circular shaft (c. 11-12' in diameter) is surrounded with a grille to catch
detritus. The water is swirled roaring down into the shaft to exit on the other side of the dam.
The dam's wooded and steep embankment drops down to the exit of the tunnel under the dam.
The tunnel's exit and inwards curving retaining walls are built with solid blocks of stone and are in
good condition. Only the northern pier extension remains fully extant. Both piers direct the lake's
outflow into a round pond, from where the Cow Brook continues its course to the River Dane

The circular weir at North Rode remains extant and operational. It is a very important example of early C19 hydraulic engineering, possibly the work of Landscape designer John Webb. The prototype for this rare type of overflow is likely to be the 'cup and saucer' at Erddig Hall nr. Wrexham. Here, the 'circular cascade' and the associated tunnel were constructed by the landscape improver William Emes (1729/30-1803). Documentary evidence places the construction of Erddig's 'cup and saucer' to 1774-75.
Webb was a pupil of Emes.