Series: Eden Heritage Ltd unpublished report series

In May 2021 Eden Heritage was commissioned by PWA Planning to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land at the rear of 26 and 28 Nicholas Street, Chester, Cheshire (centred on National Grid Reference SJ 4028 6609). The archaeological evaluation was required to help determine the archaeological potential of the area and to inform the proposed development at the site. The proposed development area is to the west of Chester city centre, on the west side of Nicholas Street, being south of Watergate Street and north of Grey Friars. This part of Chester is known to have been the site of an extensive settlement during the Roman period, which lay between the western defences of the Roman fort and the River Dee. In the medieval period the site lay within the area of a Dominican Friary (Blackfriars). Archaeological remains were identified at depth in all three test pits excavated.

The report consists of a brief historical background to the site of Barwickstead, and a description and photographic record of the buildings. Photographs were taken using digital photography of all external elevations, and where safe to do so, of internal elevations although for safety reasons some areas could not be fully accessed. Detailed photographs were also taken of fixtures and fittings of historic or archaeological interest. The listing description says that the barn at Barwickstead dates to 1858, seemingly based on that date on rainwater hoppers on the house. It was certainly in existence by 1867 when it was shown on the Ordnance Survey map of that date. Associated buildings which have also been described in this report include the Hennery-Piggery, also Grade II listed and also referred to as dating to 1858, and ancillary buildings which were constructed between 1867 and 1899, based on historic mapping. The barn is an example of a bank barn, with evidence for it having served multiple functions: as stabling for horses, as a byre (cowhouse), and as a threshing barn on the first floor. It is possible that a now-lost building which was formerly located against the east elevation, may have been a cart shed. The barn has been well-constructed and contains architectural detailing which suggests a higher status site than many traditional farm buildings in Cumbria. It is possible that the stable part of the ground floor may have been modified historically, as the two doorways in the east elevation appear to have been inserted or adapted, and the presence of stable fittings provided by Musgraves of Belfast may suggest a later 19th century date. The ancillary buildings to the west of the barn, appear to have served possibly as a housing for a horse-gang stabling, storage and a boiler room for the greenhouse in the garden. The Hennery-Piggery is believed to be contemporary with the house and the barn. It is an intact example of a small structure used on the farmstead to house pigs and hens. There is high quality architectural detailing, and surviving features such as the sandstone troughs, wooden hatches and remains of decorative iron railings. The farm buildings at Barwickstead are of a high quality reflecting the status of its original and subsequent owners. They retain historic plan forms, features and fittings which allow the structures to be easily understood. The buildings should not be seen in isolation, but as part of a group of structures and features which include the original house (now divided into three units), boundary walls, cobbled yard and the walled gardens to the rear.

Eden Heritage Ltd were commissioned by Many Larkin, to undertake an archaeological watching brief at the Church of St Leonard, Warwick-on-Eden, Cumbria (NGR NY 4660 5680). The archaeological work was associated with the conversion of the church to a dwelling, for which planning permission had been granted by Carlisle City Council (Planning reference 19/0399). The planning consent for the development was granted on the condition that an archaeological watching brief be undertaken during the excavation of the new septic tank and drainage, due to the possible presence of human burials, which identified the site to be of archaeological interest. The archaeological watching brief was undertaken over one day on 24th August 2020 during the excavation work for a new septic tank to the north of The Church of St Leonard. The watching brief monitored the excavation of an area measuring 2.7m by 2.0m to a depth of 1.35m. A single inhumation was identified which was recorded but left in situ. This was identified as being the burial of Isabella Wannop, aged 80 years who died in 1900. The only finds recovered were coffin fittings, which are to be returned to the graveyard for reburial.

Photographs were taken using digital photography from each side of the River Kent. Due to the location of Bowston Weir, being within the river, the structure was photographed from locations where it was safe to do so. There was restricted access on the west bank of the river as this area is now residential and access was not possible immediately to the west of the weir due to this area being fenced off to the public. As the structure is located within the river, it was not possible to utilise a scale in the photographs. Bowston Weir appears to have been constructed in 1874 as part of the control of water for Bowston Paper Mill which was located on the west bank of the River Kent. A weir is a low dam that is constructed across a body of water, and is designed to hold back water and regulate its flow. It formed part of a system of water control which included the resulting mill dam or pond, which was formed when the weir was constructed, sluices and mill races. It is not clear if the fish passes, or ladders, which are now present within the weir formed part of its original design. The western of the passes appears to be shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1914, but it has been suggested that one was constructed in 1948 and the other in 1991. A fish pass/ladder allowed fish to swim upstream, by-passing an obstacle such as a weir

The primary and secondary sources used within this report were derived mainly from the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (HER) and the online sources which were also consulted, including the Archaeology Data Service (ADS) and the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). Several published and unpublished sources were consulted for information of the proposed development site, as well as various resources held by Eden Heritage Ltd. The assessment revealed that there is a moderate potential for archaeological remains dating to prehistoric and Roman-British periods. The site is located 500m to the north of cropmarks relating to possible Late Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age activity. This activity may have continued into the Romano-British period, and there is a recorded Romano-British settlement just over 1km to the northwest of the site boundary. It appears that Roebuck Farm has existed at the site since late 19th century. However, the majority of the proposed development area was located on the periphery of Lemsford Village and appears to have been utilised as agricultural land until the present day.

The primary and secondary sources used within this report were derived mainly from the Cumbria Historic Environment Record (HER) and online sources including the Archaeology Data Service (ADS) and the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) maintained by Historic England.Several published and unpublished sources were consulted for information of the proposed development site and its environs including the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, as well as various resources held by Eden Heritage Ltd. A search radius of 1km from the site boundary was used, which was considered appropriate given the topographic context of the site. The assessment has revealed that, based on the current evidence, there is a low potential for archaeological remains to be present within the site boundary, although the existence of unknown below-ground features cannot be discounted. Throughout the post medieval to modern periods the site appears to have been part of a larger field, although there is no evidence that it has been ploughed, as is the case with some of the fields that surround the site. The site visit did not identify any features of archaeological or historical significance within the site boundary.

In 2019 Eden Heritage was commissioned by Mr and Mrs P Glass to undertake an historic building recording project at Duncombe Farm, South Hetton, County Durham (NGR: NZ 38619 44090). The project was undertaken prior to the proposed demolition of a redundant farm house and construction of a new dwelling, for which planning permission has been granted by Durham County Council (Ref. DM/19/00775/FPA). The historic building survey revealed that the farm house has developed in at least three phases, the earliest phase being of stone construction. The originally form of this building was uncertain due to extensive later re-modelling. The earlier stone building was evidently replaced by a brick two-story farmhouse in the late 18th or early 19th century. This house was then re-modelled with the construction of the northeast side of the farm house. At this time a new roof was constructed which projected over the kitchen and pantry; the farm house taking its final form as a double-pile two bays wide continuous-outshut house.

Geomagnetic measurements were determined using a Bartington Grad601-2 dual gradiometer system, with twin sensors set 1m apart. The survey was undertaken using a zig-zag traverse scheme, with data being logged in 30m grid units. A sample interval of 0.25m was used, with a traverse interval of 1m, providing 3600 sample measurements per grid unit. The geophysical survey detected a number of weak linear and curvilinear features, which were interpreted as possible archaeological soil-filled features. These included a possible rectangular enclosure ditch, and two possible curvilinear ditches to the south. It was recommended that the geophysical anomalies were targeted during the subsequent trial trench evaluation of the site.

Geomagnetic measurements were determined using a Bartington Grad601-2 dual gradiometer system, with twin sensors set 1m apart. It was expected that significant archaeological features at a depth of up to 1.5m would be detected using this arrangement. The survey was undertaken using a zig-zag traverse scheme, with data being logged in 30m grid units. A sample interval of 0.25m was used, with a traverse interval of 1m, providing 3600 sample measurements per grid unit, with measurements being recorded at the centre of each grid cell. A single linear feature was detected by the geophysical crossing the west side of the survey area, which corresponded with a visible sunken feature and may be a modern service trench or ditch. No other potential archaeological features were detected by the geophysical survey.

The work comprised a programme of desk-based research, and a site visit to assess the current conditions, any evidence for potential activity which may have had a negative impact on buried archaeological remains, and to assess the potential impact the proposals may have on the setting and significance of designated and non-designated heritage assets in the vicinity of the site. The assessment has revealed that the proposed development area appears to have formed part of the parkland associated with Escowbeck House from the middle of the 19th century. An assessment of HER data, historical maps, LiDAR data, and the site visit, has identified several archaeological features within the site boundary; these comprise historic footpaths/tracks, a Well, a ha-ha along the northern boundary, part of a former Fish Pond, and an area of possible medieval ridge and furrow earthworks. The route of a Roman road is also recorded to cross the south end of the site.