Source/Archive record SCH9021 - Parade Ring Canopies, Chester Racecourse, Roodee, Chester, CH1 2LY: Archaeological Watching Brief

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken in 2021 during the Parade Ring Canopies development at Chester Racecourse, Roodee, Chester, CH1 2LY. The watching brief involved the monitoring of groundworks associated with the development of new racecourse amenities including a single storey kitchen and serveries building, also a series of fourteen square pits which were to receive concrete bases of octagonal parasols. During the excavation works a linear ditch was found to be running south-west to north-east towards to the eastern edge of the development area; passing through the foundation trenches and continuing through into the easternmost parasol base. The ditch fill produced a number of ceramic finds dating from the 2nd century AD to the late 20th century, although it is believed to be of post-medieval origin. The ditch is not depicted on the Chester Tithe map or on the ensuing Ordnance Survey maps, although it is likely that it was too ephemeral a feature to depict.