Monument record 352 - Windmill Mound Adjacent to Wrenbury Old Mill

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ 54 NE 4 (Index). SCH2487.

Tumulus - base circumference 140 yards, diameter 35 yards, height 12 feet. [Penny E.M., 10/03/1961]. The Ordnance Survey record card gives (2) and an unspecified document from the Cheshire Community Council as the sources.

This mound is composed of sand and has steep uneven sides. It is not a barrow or a motte and is of no apparent interest. [Waggot T.P., F.I., 23/10/1964].

<2> Norwood, T, 1978-1907, Private Historical Notes on Wrenbury (Manuscript). SCH9328.

<3> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.93 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

The mound is approximately thirty-five metres by three metres at its highest point. Disturbed in its south-western corner. Probably not an antiquity, but there is an interesting outer enclosure. Possibly like a small motte.

Condition and Comment
The mound is grass covered, has a relatively flat summit and steep sides and is situated on a high point in relation to the surrounding areas above the narrow flood plain of Marbury Brook. The mound is exposed in the south-western corner as the former (predecessor of present tenant) used the mound as a silage tip.

Additional Information
The mound consists of sand and pebbles. There is no sign of a ditch however a portion of land directly to the south appears to have been removed, hence resulting in a low depression; perhaps removed to form the mound? Upon enquiring, the tenant mentioned a local story that a windmill had once occupied the mound and that his predecessor had used the mound for a silage dump, not only having removed a corner of the mound, tractors ran over the summit, hence it appears to have been disturbed and a 'run up' constructed in the north. The stream's course had been altered; perhaps material had been dumped in one place? However the information and the site's character suggests it is not of antiquity. A local historian claimed it to be Bronze Age and by using a metal detector discovered Victorian coins. Slight grass discoloration on mound. Wet conditions.

<4> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.III, p.399 (Book). SCH1389.

"…It may be added, that the Grange of the monks of Combermere (with its ancient water-mill adjoining, and the wind-mill hill), remains near the railway station, where the course of the Weaver, there a little diverted in this century, divides this township from Dodcote…"

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5947, 1877 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

A sinuous earthwork defines all but the north-western side of the mound.

<6> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Land Line and Master Map Vector Maps, 11/01/2023 (Maps and Plans). SCH4491.