Building record 111 - Moated Site at Hallwood (Tricorn Public House), Palace Fields Avenue

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 3/54-5 Greene J P 1975 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

Hallwood is a large moated manor house site. The south-west area survives and full extent of platform is estimated at 140 by 115m. Moat was sectioned during landscaping in 1974. Cut into marl and clay, fill homogeneous and apparently cleared in C18 as part of garden to Georgian country house, partly demolished in 1941.

<2> Malcolm Reid BA, 2007, The Palace Fields Moat Project: An Examination Of The Past And An Archaeological Assessment, R2773 (Client Report). SCH4897.

Evidence from the Tithe map of 1846 and the earliest large scale Ordnance Survey map for the area surveyed in 1874 suggests that the moated site at Hallwood consisted of a large rectangular island defined by a rectangular moat orientated south west - north east, along the sight east facing slope. By the date of the Tithe map all the arms of the moat had been infilled , except for the south wester arm, which retained water. The positions of the north eastern and south eastern arms appear to have been marked by later field boundaries, while the road, which ran south from Halton to Sutton and Frodsham, probably cut across the north western arm. The position of this arm may have coincided with a small pond depicted on the Tithe map, immediately south of the road. On the Ordnance Survey map of 1874, the south eastern arm is clearly shown as a ditch. From the evidence of these maps it is evident that the moated site measures approximately 140m wide (north west - south east) and in excess of 140m long ( its full length was probably about 75m). Access onto the island would have been provided by a causeway, or a timber or stone-built bridge, which was probably built across the north western arm, providing direct access to the long-established road from Halton to Sutton and Frodsham. This road was partially realigned with the creation of the turnpike in the mid 19th century. It is possible that other causeways and bridges existed across the other arms providing access to the surrounding land.

It is unclear exactly when the moated site at Hallwood was constructed. It is know to have been the residence of the Chesshyre family who were resident in Halton by the 16th century.

….It seems likely that, in relation to alterations undertaken to the house and stables in the early 18th century, the grounds defined by the moat were landscaped to provide a fashionable setting for the mansion. It is probable that it was at this time that all the arms of the moat except the one to the south west, were filled in.

<3> Malcolm Reid BA, 2008, The Palace Fields Moat Project: An Archaeological Watching Brief at Hallwood, Runcorn, Cheshire, R2879 (Client Report). SCH5139.

The possibility of remains of the post medieval garden of Hallwood house surviving intact led to this archaeological watching brief during landscaping works to improve public access to this open space. No deposits attributable to the medieval or post medieval occupation of this site were observed.