Source/Archive record SCH4037 - Vale Royal Abbey, Cheshire: Sheduled Area, Drain Excavation Report

In 1997 excavations were undertaken at Vale Royal Abbey in advance of the laying of a new sewerage system at the back of Great House, in the area of the former monastic cloisters, which lie within the scheduled area. A total of four trenches were excavated along the line of the proposed sewers running between the existing house and the extant drainage system. In all four trenches recent disturbance was encountered, probably associated with the installation of an earlier drainage system associated with the Great House. In Trench 1 the footings of an early wall were recorded. In Trenches 1, 3 and 4 a layer of orange sandstone rubble was encountered which could be associated with the post-dissolution demolition of the abbey buildings or the construction of the present house.