Monument record 998/1 - Peck Mill, Alvanley

<1> Bott O J P, 1983, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 2, p.54 (Article in Journal). SCH6105.

Peck Mill, a watermill site on Peck Mill Brook, Alvanley. First documentary reference 1208-1226 (see2)?

<2> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.II p.84 & vol.III p.219 (Book). SCH3228.

The name may refer to a type of mill with a 'pecking' movement (pecker-mill), or to the capacity of the grindstones, a peck measure.

<3> Greenwood, C. & Greenwood J., 1819, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2115.

This map depicts a watermill and building at this location.

<4> Swire, W. & Hutchings, W. F., 1830, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2116.

This map depicts a watermill at this location called Peck Mill.

<5> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

A watermill called Peak Mill is depicted at this location. A further watermill called Peck Mill is depicted c.300 metres to the north-east (see CHER 998/2).

<6> Bott O J P, 1984, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 4, p.30-31 (Article in Journal). SCH6107.

Peck Mill east of Dunham-on-the-Hill, a watermill site. See Peck Mill recorded in 1208-26 (see 1). The Tudor references may be to the same mill, but Bryant (see 5) indicates two mills here in 1831, in Alvanley township.

<7> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 14, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

Recorded as a house, garden, croft, and pool.

<8> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.68 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

A small ruinous building of two storeys, brick and slated. The interior is completely stripped and the wheel gone, but on the external gable wall there is the usual stonework in the wheel position and this is heavily scored by the misaligned wheel before removal. The diameter would be about 12'0" and probably a breast wheel. The pond is now dry and the dam broken down for a farm road.

<9> Keogh, David. B., 2020, Mill Research Report, Dunham on the Hill (Unpublished Report). SCH9269.

Bryant’s map (see 5) points to the watermill being in Alvanley as noted by Bott (see 1 & 6). It was where the brook deviated as it flowed northwards.

<10> Vale Royal Borough Council, 1977-79, The Vale Royal Borough Council Historic Buildings Survey Index Card, ALV/HB 31 (Paper Archive). SCH5481.

Brick and sandstone building. Sandstone part with marks from waterwheel. Buttressed gable. Door four foot from ground. Upper floor has long hatch with hoist above. Some timber machinery remains in upper storey small bay.

<11> Vale Royal Borough Council, 2006, Vale Royal Borough Council's List of Locally Important Buildings (Report). SCH5487.

Criterion E: Buildings Included in the Vale Royal Borough Council Historic Buildings Survey 1977-79

<12> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4873, 1874 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the mill building with a house and other small outbuildings to the north. To the immediate east is the mill pond. To the immediate south is the tail race and sluice, with the overflow leat further south. It is labelled Peck Mill (Flour).

<13> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4873, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

As previously depicted.

<14> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4873, 1910 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

As previously depicted.

<15> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 17/05/2024 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The mill pond had been drained by the late 1940s. The mill building and house have been heavily renovated, with the former now described as a barn conversion. Modern farm buildings occupy the southern part of the site.