Monument record 52 - Neston Deer Park

The Deer Park from which the village of Parkgate derives its name is shown on Saxton's map of 1577 at Neston (1). Consists of 13 fields but disappears from Cheshire maps from Burdett onwards (3). Medieval deer park originally enclosed by Roger de Montalt, baron of Mold from 1232 to 1260. Montalt was lord of the manor of Neston. Park is mentioned in a grant of 1258, so may have been created c. 1250. Northern boundary of park can be deduced by evidence given to Special Commissioners at Neston in 1569. Extent of park shown by 'park' fieldnames which survived into 18th and 19th centuries. Park had a river frontage of c. 1,000 yards and the village of Parkgate developed on part of this land. Evidence that a herd of deer was kept in the park (4).

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ27NE11 (Index). SCH2487.

<2> Shirley, E P, 1867, Some account of English deer parks, with notes on the management of deer, 0 (Book). SCH1108.

<3> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, 4/223 (Y) (Book). SCH3228.

<3> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol .IV p.223 (Book). SCH3228.

<4> Place G, 1994, The Rise and Fall of Parkgate, /11 (Book). SCH4354.