Monument record 180/1 - Saxon & Medieval Brine Pit, Snow Hill

The medieval brine pit on Snow Hill lies 14ft east of the bank of the River Weaver, and was defended by a moat on its eastern side (1). It is first mentioned in Domesday when it was associated with 8 salthouses, but it was probably exploited back to Roman times (2). The brine pit was the main source from the salt-making industry throughout the medieval and post-medieval period. Went into decline from then on. In 1882, cleaned out to supply the newly erected Medicinal Baths (3). Now capped and covered by grass, but still supplying Municipal baths. The brine was distributed by channels, pipes and aqueducts, to the salthouses (4). Jackson described the pit in 1669 as 7yds deep, though this was artificially high by 6ft, because of the accumulation of salt-making debris (5). By 1675, the brine was pumped from the pit (3).

<1> Gough R, 1789, Camden's Britannia (Gough), 3/43 (Book). SCH508.

<2> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 2/328 Harris B 1986 (Book). SCH3556.

<3> Hall J, 1883, A History of the Town and Parish of Nantwich or Wich-Malbank in the County Palatine of Chester, /10-12 & 252-67 (Book). SCH80.

<4> Leland J, 1769, Itinerary, 5/82 (Book). SCH1498.

<5> The Royal Society, Various, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 4/1060 Jackson W 1669 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2629.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, Smith D 1960 SJ65SW11 (Index). SCH2487.

<7> IPC Media, 1897-Present, Country Life, /245 Hogg G 1949 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH993.