Monument record 563/1/2 - Bewsey Old Hall - 17th Century Garden

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 10/83 Smart R 1984 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

Section across moat 1983-5 revealed the lower courses of a large brick wall-part of an ornate 17th C terraced garden. Highly decorated urns which stood on the wall had fallen into the moat as it silted up. Urns all decorated with mouldings & paint, 1 was gilded. At front of hall were wall foundations & semi-circular steps. Prob Georgian bridge across moat also revealed (1) & (2)

<2> Post Medieval Archaeology, Egan G 1985 19/170-171 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2670.

<3> Nicholls J, 1828, The Progress of King James I, 3/405 (Book). SCH3232.

James I stayed here in 1617 on way S from Scotland. Garden may relate to his visit

<4> R.Smart, 1985, Untitled Source, 1, 1985, p.10-11 (R.Smart) (Article in Newsletter). SCH2001.

Garden situated to N & E of Elizabethan manor house & enclosed by med moat. Low brick wall with butresses lined inner edge of moat. In middle of platform was 2nd wall-of which 3 courses of dressed sandstone blocks survived. Series of semi-circ steps lay between main entrance & bridge. Was also an ornate timber arch, just after bridge. Only structure in garden was sandstone drain. Minimum of 20 terracotta urns found in moat.

<5> Lewis J, 2000, The Medieval Earthworks of the Hundred of West Derby (Monograph). SCH3778.

The east and north arms of the moat were revetted with a brick wall which was associated with 17th century activities to create the garden terrace. This effectiviely destroyed the stratigraphical relationship between the platform and the moat.