Monument record 1049/1 - Watermill in Cranage

Mill at Cranage on the River Dane, north of Holmes Chapel. Formerly an iron forge, possibly on the site of the watermill purchased in 1660 by John Leadbeater of the Hermitage. For a hundred years it remained a focal point in the iron trade of the NW (1). Good stone semi-circular weir with iron sluice to the headrace with the tail race returning around the river bend. Present buildings largely modern. Now used for manufacture (2). Small pieces of ironstone have been picked up in the mill-race (3).

<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 109/76 Awty B 1957 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 75-76/57 Norris J H 1965 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ76NE5/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> Earwaker J P, 1890, History of the Ancient Parish of Sandbach, Earwaker 1890 /214+255 (N) (Book). SCH1431.