Monument record 812 - Darley Hall moated site

Three sides of moat are well preserved, but only a fragment of the 4th side remains (1). Moat is wide and water-filled. Watching brief during erection of electricity pole at NE edge of platform revealed c.300mm of recent cultivation soil over c.1m of sand, over clay at water-table. No significant levels observed. Moat recently cleaned out and platform recently under cultivation according to farmer (9). Site consists of rectangular island 65m x 54m, with a low flat platform in its E quadrant. Island is surrounded by a waterlogged moat 1m deep to the water level on all sides except the SE, where only a fragment remains close to S corner, rest has been infilled. Moats SW and NW arms are 13-18m wide, while NE arm is 34m wide. 1695 estate map of Oulton Lowe (Darley demesne) shows island surrounded by moat with access across SE arm. Darley Hall occupies island with outbuildings to SE of moat. Thought Hall was abandoned soon after this date when present Darley Hall was built on the site of the outbuildings to SE of the moat (10).

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ66SW1/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 25/153 Harrison W 1907 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 2/189 (N) (Book). SCH1389.

<4> White, F, 1860, Whites History, Directory & Gazetteer of Cheshire, /271 White F & Co 1860 (Book). SCH1452.

<5> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester, /432 (N) (Book). SCH1382.

<6> Gastrell F, 1845-1850, Notitia Cestriensis, or historical notices of the diocese of Chester, 1/252 (Article in Journal). SCH2290.

<7> Lysons D & Lysons S, 1806-22, Magna Britannia, Lysons 2/720 (Book). SCH2066.

<8> Bagshaw, Unknown, /624 (Book). SCH3539.

<9> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Tindall A S 1989 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<10> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 23638 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<11> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, 1990-2001, Jill Collens and Rob Philpott's Aerial Photographs, LM 90.2012, 10/08/1990 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5403.