Monument record 861/1 - Rabbit Warren at Forest Farm

<1> Allen E & Daines R, 1627, Survey of Delamere Forest, CR/63/2/692/1 (Maps and Plans). SCH2112.

At this approximate location is the label Sir John Donne’s warren.

<2> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, p.18 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

SJ 564 665: Large roughly rectangular platform, possibly originally a natural hillock with an artificially flattened top which has a marked slope towards the east. Two former watercourses bound the two short sides of the platform as well as the long northern side where they meet in a slight feature which could not be interpreted from the air. Enquiries at the adjacent farm elicited the information that this feature had been a multiple fish trap. The purpose of the rectangular platform is at present unknown [Williams SR].

<3> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Collens J, 28/04/1988 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The map of 1627 (see 1) shows the warren lying just outside the then forest boundary and suggests a separate warrener's house.

<4> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, 1m DSM Composite 2017 (19/11/2021) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

<5> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.105 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

Note: this card covers two adjacent earthworks, CHER 857 and CHER 861/1.

Up to 4m high, measures 70m north-west to south-east and 45m north-east to south-west. Probably natural feature.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ 56 NE 9 (Index). SCH2487.

Note: this card covers two adjacent earthworks, CHER 857 and CHER 861/1, which have become confused by the field inspectors.

The siting symbol shown by the Ordnance Survey falls on the upper edge of a large mound. Since extant barrows in the vicinity are marked with siting symbols, this is apparently intended to imply to the mound. The mound, which is up to 4m high, measures 70m north-west to south-east and 45m north-east to south-west. It is out of character with barrows in the vicinity and is evidently one of a series of natural ridges and mounds in the area. [TPW 23/10/1961].

The site is one of several natural knolls in the immediate area. Not an antiquity. [WDC 26/02/1987].

<7> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 19/11/2021 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The warren is not specifically depicted on the 1627 map (see 1), but the label provides a general area in which it could be located. The grid reference given in William’s account (see 2) is imprecise. It is possible that the feature being described is the natural landform at SJ 5622 6637 as this would fit with the description of the watercourses. This is one of two possible locations identified by Wilson-North (8). For further discussion of this landform see CHER 861/2. It may also refer to the slighter and smaller landform at SJ 5649 6655, which has more in common with the type of earthwork associated with an artificial warren.

The LIDAR data (see 4) currently available from the Environment Agency does not seem to support any of the locations as the site of an artificial warren. However, to the north of the farm is a sub-rectangular earthwork with rounded ends (c.70m by c.30m) which is more consistent with the type of earthwork associated with an artificial warren, known as a pillow mound. Notably, this would be a large example. This earthwork seems to fit with the descriptions given in sources (5) and (6). These sources suggest that this is a natural feature, but the LIDAR data suggests that this is a distinct earthwork located on a natural ridge.

Pillow mounds are known to have been created as circular mounds as well rectangular ones. The close proximity and possible alignment between this earthwork and the possible round barrow (CHER 857) to the west, may suggest the latter is another pillow mound associated with the warren.

<8> Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME), 1987, Field Observation on SJ 56 NE 22 (Unpublished Report). SCH9115.

No field evidence was found for the alleged antiquity at this location (see CHER 861/1 for further discussion).

<9> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, RAF/CPE/UK/1935 no.4045-6 17/01/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.