Monument record 1332/3/0 - Gawsworth Deer Park

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Summary

A Deer and Hunting Park surrounded the garden at Gawsworth. Saxton's map of Cheshire of 1577 and Speed's map of 1610 both show the park. The boundaries can be reconstructed by reference to a later 18th century survey plan by G Grey, now hanging in Gawsworth Hall. Deer Parks were used to house deer, which were an important source of fresh meat. A royal licence was required to create a park and only the very wealthiest could afford to create one. The deer were kept in a fenced and ditched enclosure and could be released to allow hunting. Some parks had a system of ditches and banks known as deer leaps which allowed wild deer (the monarch's property) to enter the park but not escape, so increasing the herd. Deer Parks were expensive to maintain and many were disparked from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Those that were retained reinforced the high status of their owners. The widespread park landscaping of the 18th century often incorporated surviving deer parks. These new gardens were a contrast to the formal gardens of previous centuries with their carefully designed "natural" appearance.

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Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Deer and Hunting Park at Gawsworth. Surrounded the garden (CSMR: 1332/2). Saxton's map of Cheshire of 1577 and Speed's map of 1610 both show the park, implying it lay south-west of the church. The boundaries can be reconstructed by reference to a later l8th century survey plan by G Grey, now hanging in Gawsworth Hall. The hall and gardens are north of the centre of the park. The west limit is the Congleton Road. The south boundary enclosed all the present fields of Parkhouse and the north boundary extended up to the top of the present approach at Warren, enclosing a total area of c.243ha. The park has been enclosed but the field boundaries are much straighter than those outside the pale (1).


<1> Turner R C, 1986, The Gardens at Gawsworth Hall, /6 (Oral Communication). SCH3124.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 20/26 Harrison W 1902 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Shirley, E P, 1867, Some account of English deer parks, with notes on the management of deer, /206 (Book). SCH1108.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, 1981 SJ86NE10 (Index). SCH2487.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Oral Communication: Turner R C. 1986. The Gardens at Gawsworth Hall. /6.
  • <2> Journal/Periodical: Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society. 1883 -. Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society. 20/26 Harrison W 1902.
  • <3> Book: Shirley, E P. 1867. Some account of English deer parks, with notes on the management of deer. /206.
  • <4> Index: Ordnance Survey. 1870-1982. Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card. 1981 SJ86NE10.

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Location

Grid reference SJ 890 700 (point) 8 Figure Ref
Map sheet SJ87SE
Civil Parish GAWSWORTH, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE EAST
Historic Township/Parish/County GAWSWORTH, GAWSWORTH, CHESHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Record last edited

Feb 16 2022 5:30PM