Loxley Chapel was constructed in 1787 at approximately the time that the surrounding area was enclosed by parliamentary award. Formerly the area was part of Loxley Chase. This name persists and recalls the former use as a hunting ground for the De Wadsley family. It was probably created from moorland at the same time that the sub manor of Wadsley was created, in the late 13th century. Legibility of the former landscape is invisible. The origin of the moorland landscape is uncertain though this area is likely to be moorland by the Roman period (see Bevan 2003 for discussion of environmental evidence).