Monument record 67/2/4 - Norton Hall Walled Garden

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 1995, An Archaeological Evaluation at The Walled Garden, Norton Priory, Cheshire., R2077 (Client Report). SCH4122.

Built 400m north of the Georgian house by the Brookes between 1757- 1770. During the 19th century a range of heated glasshouses and other ornamentation were added, making the Walled Garden part of the pleasure gardens. When the Brookes left in the 1920s the Walled Garden was leased to commercial market gardeners until the mid 1940s; it fell into disrepair and was used as a pheasantry until 1968. It was sold to ICI Ltd and subsequently to the Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation. A scheme of restoration was undertaken during the 1980s and opened to the public in 1987. In 1995 seven trial trenches were dug before development of a visitors centre. The trenches revealed that buildings dating to the 19th century survive below ground levels. There was also evidence of 17th century and perhaps earlier activity.