Monument record 27 - Mound, Willaston

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, Vol 9, p.77-82, O'Hanlon D, 1983 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

A low sub-circular mound, with a diameter of circa 26m, located to the north of Willaston village, in the north-east corner of a field in the grounds of Mill House. Traces of a potential external bank and internal ditch. Parts of the mound are very uneven and may have bee disturbed. A lane cuts the edge of the mound.

Documentary evidence indicates the presence of a windmill in this vicinity from medieval times, but the exact locations is not clear. Also, field names imply that the area was much concerned with mills and milling. However, the function of this mound is not certain, its position at a point where three boundaries meet to mark the division between Little Neston, Neston and Eastham, suggests it may have a function related to boundaries and could represent a moot hill or meeting place. Another interpretation could be a prehistoric barrow. Published plan of the site.

<2> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol .IV, p.233 (Book). SCH3228.

Placename Midlethrinlowe 1309, "mill on the middle of three mounds" may refer to this mound

<3> Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1849 onwards, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Vol 55-56, p.133-149 Abraham E M 1903 The Old Flour Mills of Wirral (Journal/Periodical). SCH3800.

<4> Bryan, E.C., 1975, Willaston's Heritage (First Edition) (Book). SCH3708.

<5> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, 1990-1992, MPP Scoring Form, 1993, K.D.Robinson (Unpublished Document). SCH2222.

Poorly preserved and not convincing as a barrow, likewise similar mound c.350m to north. Documentary evidence for windmill mounds in area and this seems a more valid explanation for its existance

<6> English Heritage, 1990-1993, Monuments Protection Programme Site Visit Form, 13/01/1993, K.D.Robinson (Unpublished Document). SCH5222.

Reason for not scheduling. The monument is a low mound c.26m diameter surrounded by faint traces of a ditch and external bank. It lies in the corner of a field with a lane immediately to the east.

The mound was found to be poorly preserved and did not appear convincing as a barrow. Another mound was examined c.350m to the north and this also was an unconvincing barrow. There is documentary evidence for windmill mounds in the area and it is though that this mound may be a windmill mound rather than a barrow. As such it is not recommended for scheduling at the present time.