C. Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

P/2014/00228 Received 24/02/14

HERITAGE

STATEMENT Land surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire

November 2013 Report No. JMP13

C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Heritage Statement Land surrounding Woodseat House,

Rocester,

Staffordshire

Produced for

BHB Architects Ltd

on behalf of

JCB Ltd

Written by

Dr Andrew Sargent

for

Clare Henshaw

3 Wesley Place

Poolfields

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Staffordshire ST5 2NN

Tel: 07974 546263

Report No. JMP13

December 2013

© 2013 Clare Henshaw shall retain full copyright of this written report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 with all rights reserved; excepting that it hereby provide a full licence to the client for the use of this document by the client in all matters relating to the project as described.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire ii C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

CONTENTS

Non Technical Summary v

Introduction 1

Aims & Objectives 1

Methodology 1

Planning Policy Context 2

The Site 3

Geology and Topography 5

Archaeological & Historical Background 6

Archaeological Potential and Significance 18

Conclusions and Recommendations 20

Acknowledgements 21

Bibliography 21

Figures

Figure 1: Site Location 3

Figure 2: Location Map 4

Figure 3: Location Map 4

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire iii C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 4: Aerial Photograph 5

Figure 5: 1853 Estate Map 14

Figure 6: 1886 OS Map 15

Figure 7: 1901 OS Map 16

Figure 8: 1924 OS Map 17

Figure 9: HER map of Assets within the study area 31

Appendices

Appendix 1: Historic Environment Record 22

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire iv C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY A Heritage Statement was produced by C. Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant for Andrew Hayward of Brownhill Hayward Brown Conservation Architects Ltd on behalf of JCB Ltd. The study found potential for Roman archaeology in the northern part of the site, specifically part of the Roman road between Chesterton and Little Chester, and for dispersed rural archaeology relating to the Medieval and Post-Medieval periods across the central and southern parts of the site, in particular the presence of ridge and furrow earthworks. Moreover it is probable that an earthwork enclosure in the central part of the site relates to the earliest significant medieval activity in the area, possibly to be associated with the place-name ‘Woodseat’, and that Woodseat House is located on the site of a medieval farm or settlement. Finally, the site also includes the superimposed relict courses of the Caldon Canal and the Churnet Valley Railway.

With the exception of the Roman road and the possible medieval enclosure, none of the potential archaeology on the site is of more than local importance. If any ground along the route of the Roman road or on the site of the medieval enclosure is to be reduced, disturbance of the archaeology can be mitigated via a watching brief. If ground is to be made up on top of the medieval enclosure, a survey of the surviving earthworks there will be required before they are obscured.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire v C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BHB Architects on behalf of JCB Ltd have commissioned a Heritage Statement concerning land surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire, to be submitted with a planning application regarding the remodelling of the site into a golf course. Clare Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant, was subsequently appointed to the project

2.0 AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT 2.1 The aim of this report is to identify and detail the potential for encountering archaeological sites and features and other elements of cultural heritage on the site, to evaluate their importance, and to recommend strategies for further assessment or survey.

3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 This Heritage Statement is written in accordance with the IfA’s Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk Based Assessment (revised Oct 2008) as well as National Planning Policy Framework (2012). Archaeological assessment has been accomplished through the use of the following sources: HER data, historic maps, and other relevant documentary sources.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 1 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

4.0 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT 4.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on 27th March 2012 and outlines the Government’s national policies on the conservation of the historic environment. Sections 126 - 128 in the report describes the key role that planning plays in conserving our heritage assets and in the creation of sustainable places. The Government’s overarching aim is the proper conservation of the historic environment and its heritage assets so they can be enjoyed for the quality of life they bring to this and future generations, as well as recognising the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits of heritage conservation. Recognition is also given to the need for Managed Change - a necessity if heritage assets are to be maintained in the long term.

4.2 Section 129 requests that Local Councils and other development approval bodies should require an applicant to provide a description of the significance of the heritage assets affected by a proposed development. The level of detail should be proportionate to the importance of the heritage asset and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on the significance of the heritage asset. It functions as a logical progression to a statement of environmental effects which most councils commonly require.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 2 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

5.0 THE SITE 5.1 The study area, hereafter called ‘the site’, is an approximately triangular area lying west of the River Churnet immediately downstream from Rocester, and is shown in Figure 3. To the southwest the area is bounded by Combridge Lane; to the north by Hollington Road/Station Road; and to the southeast by the B5030 road. The northeast corner of this area does not lie within the site boundary, which excludes the Banks Farm (aka Mince Pie Hall) and Rookery Cottage building complexes.

Figure 1: Site Location

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 3 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

N

Figure 2: Location map (not to scale) contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011

N

Figure 3: Location map (not to scale) contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 4 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 4: Aerial Photograph

6.0 GEOLOGY & TOPOGRAPHY

6.1 The study site is situated towards the northern edge of a large deposit of Permo-Triassic mudstones, which characterise the region lying between the River Trent to the south and the higher lands of the Peak District to the north. Locally, seasonally waterlogged loamy soils of the Whimple 3 Association have formed on top of the mudstones, although along the site’s southeast and southwest edges the soil morphology is effected by proximity to water courses (Ragg et al. 1984, 319-323). To the southeast, the River Churnet has cut a swathe through the geology, laying down gravels on which well-drained loamy soils of the Wick 1 Association have formed, giving way to the alluvial silts and clays of the Conway Association along the course of the river itself (Ragg et al. 1984, 323-327 & 139-141). To the southwest the lower Alders Brook and

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 5 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant its tributary, the Nothill Brook, have cut a similar, if smaller, line through the geology, laying down gravels on which alluvial loams of the Wigton Moor Association have formed (Ragg et al. 1984, 329-333). Above its confluence with the Nothill Brook, the Alders Brook flows southwards across the western part of the site.

7.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 7.1 The following sections contain an analysis of the Historic Environment Records (HER) that fall within 1.5km of a point at the approximate centre of the study site (NGR SK 094 385). This is integrated with a historic map regression of the site. Please refer to Figure 8 for the locations of HER assets.

7.2 Prehistory (500,000 BC – AD 43) 7.2.1 No evidence for prehistoric activity has yet been discovered within the bounds of the site, although there is some within the 1.5km search radius. Just over 500m southwest of the southwest site boundary a possible Bronze Age barrow is recorded, evidenced by the presence of its ring-ditch, although there is some debate over whether this might be a post-medieval enclosure (HER No. 01571-MST1563). Just under 500m east of the northeast corner of the site, in a field west of Rocester, a Bronze Age necked beaker was found during construction work in 1939 (HER No. 01804-MST1796); a prehistoric flint blade was also found in the vicinity of Rocester, its exact find-spot unknown (HER No. 02202-MST2193). Of more substance, linear features, ring-ditches and a pit alignment have been observed on aerial photographs a short distance south of Rocester, most of which are likely to be prehistoric in date, either Neolithic or Bronze Age, although the pit alignment might be Roman at the latest (HER No. 02533-MST2523). Overall, most if not all evidence for prehistoric activity lies on the narrow peninsula between the Rivers Churnet and Dove on which Rocester sits. This is partly due to the issue of survival: the loamy soils of the peninsula appear not to have been intensively ploughed, whilst many of the more clayey loams to the west of the Churnet are (or were) covered in medieval and post-medieval ridge and

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 6 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant furrow (see below), which will have obliterated earlier earthworks. Nevertheless, whilst prehistoric activity within the bounds of the site cannot be ruled, out, it appears unlikely on present evidence.

7.3 Roman (43-410) 7.3.1 The line of the Roman road between Chesterton and Littlechester runs approximately east-west a short distance south of the northern edge of the site, heading eastwards to a bridge over the River Churnet thence to the Roman fort and settlement at Rocester (HER No. 05167-MST4702). Outside the site, but within the 1.5km search radius, the only other Roman sites are the pit alignment mentioned above (which may date earlier), a set of Roman finds found near Rocester (exact spot unknown) by metal detecting (HER No. 50417-MST11526) and a speculative reference to a Roman trackway located just over 500m south of the site’s southern corner (HER No. 04002- MST3730). Again, almost all the evidence for activity is located on the Rocester peninsula; nevertheless, considering the line of the road running across the site’s northern reaches and the location of the Roman settlement at Rocester under 1km to the east, the presence of Roman archaeology within the site appears distinctly possible.

7.4 Early Medieval (410 – 1066) 7.4.1 The site has lain within the parish of Rocester since the early medieval period, and was no doubt originally part of the large estate centred on Rocester, which was held by the Earls of Mercia before the Norman Conquest of 1066, and was afterwards kept in-hand by the king. Place-names indicate that much of the site and its region were wooded during the early medieval period. Woottons, about 750m west of the site’s western corner, derives from Old English wudu-tun, meaning a settlement in or by a wood (Horovitz 2005, 590-591). Closer to the site’s western corner, Woodhouse is self-explanatory, whilst about 500m north of the site Stubwood indicates a ‘wood with tree stumps’ (from Old English stubb, ‘a stub, a tree-trunk’; Horovitz 2005, 521); another 500m to the northwest, Riddings indicates ‘a clearing, an assart, land taken into an estate from waste’ (Horovitz 2005, 458). The only settlement name in the immediate vicinity that does not reference woodland is

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 7 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Combridge, located at the southern corner of the study site, which has an uncertain derivation, but possibly includes Old English camb, ‘a comb, crest’, with Old English brycg, ‘bridge’, or hrycg, ‘ridge’. From a regional perspective, the site appears to have been located at the southeast end of a swathe of woodland located along the southern side of the course of the River Churnet, extending northwest into the moors towards Cheadle.

7.5 Medieval (1066 – 1500) 7.5.1 The place-name Woodseat itself indicates the presence of woodland, although an earlier medieval date for the name has yet to be demonstrated, and earlier forms are lacking. However, like the similar place-names Woodsetts and Woodseats, it is possible the name originally meant ‘animal fold in woodland’ (Horovitz 2005, 589, sub ‘Woodsetton’). If so, an ideal candidate for such an enclosure is present in the form of a rectangular earthwork located about 200m north of Woodseat House; this is thought to predate the ridge and furrow also present on the site (see below), and has been explicitly interpreted, albeit speculatively, as a stock enclosure (HER No. 04527-MST4191).

7.5.2 The process of clearing the woodland to create fields might have begun during the early medieval period and continued throughout the medieval period into the post-medieval period. By the 19th century maps indicate that the study site and the area surrounding it was largely free of woodland, and ridge and furrow earthworks recorded across the area indicate that it was once dominated by open arable fields, most likely dating to the medieval and earlier post-medieval periods. Within the study site, the recorded ridge and furrow earthworks are focused on Woodseat House, located to the north along with the enclosure mentioned above (HER No. 04527-MST4191), and to the east and south (HER No. 50806-MST12394); those to the north are in an area that has not since been ploughed, and may therefore still exist, whereas those to the south and east have probably been partly destroyed by subsequent ploughing, although there is a possibility that some have survived within the parkland immediately surrounding the house (see Figure 4). These earthworks testify to the presence of a small settlement or farm on the site of

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 8 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant the present house dating to the late-medieval or earlier post-medieval period. Further south, there were ridge and furrow earthworks towards the southern corner of the site, probably associated with the settlement at Combridge (HER No. 20122-MST5392), although they appear to have been destroyed by subsequent ploughing (see Figure 4). These Combridge earthworks essentially formed part of a larger swathe of ridge and furrow occupying the area between the study site’s southwest boundary and the Nothill Brook to the south, which also occupies the site’s western corner west of the Alders Brook (HER No. 20121-MST5391); again, the earthworks in the western corner of the site appear to have been flattened by ploughing, although recent aerial photographs show that they may survive as buried furrows, visible as cropmarks (see Figure 4). On the east side of Alders Brook there were small areas of ridge and furrow to the south and north of the study site boundary (respectively HER Nos. 55386-MST19155 and 55384-MST19153); again, these appear to have been subsequently destroyed by ploughing (see Figure 4). Elsewhere within the 1.5km search radius, but outside the study site, ridge and furrow earthworks were also evident south of the Nothill Brook and north of Crakemarsh (HER No. 20129-MST5399), on all sides of Woottons (HER Nos. 20123-MST5393 and 20140-MST5410), in the vicinity of Woodhouse (HER Nos. 55385-MST19154, 55387-MST19156), and to the south and west of Riddings (HER NO. 20124-MST5394); in each case the fields were no doubt associated with the settlements just named, and testify to their existence as villages or farms in the late-medieval or, at latest, earlier post- medieval periods.

7.6 Post-Medieval (1500 – Present) 7.6.1 The Staffordshire Historic Landscape Character project has classified as Piecemeal Enclosure much of the land within the 1.5k search area occupied by the ridge and furrow earthworks just discussed, essentially the result of a process of enclosing the open arable fields by agreement between individual farmers, which was underway by the early-16th century and ended in the 18th century, when Parliamentary enclosure became more common. This applies to the fields near Combridge towards the southern end of the site, but the fields around Woodseat are classified as Early Irregular Enclosure,

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 9 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant which nevertheless in this case almost certainly implies a similar date and process to Piecemeal Enclosure. Immediately east of the site’s southeast boundary the floodplain of the River Churnet is also characterised as Early Irregular Enclosure; it is occupied by earthworks of a large system of water meadows, which may also date to the earlier post-medieval period (HER Nos. 50807-MST12395, 54130-MST17899, 54128-MST17897). This system extended into the study site in the vicinity of the large pool within its eastern boundary (54129-MST17898), although here the earthworks have been largely destroyed by the creation of the pool, excepting some possible remnants at the pool’s southern end. The study site is also notable for the various patches of ancient woodland existing within it, much of which appears to have been established or at least altered to provide various screens and vistas relating to Woodseat House. Overall, the study site and the area surrounding it attained much of its present enclosed character during the earlier post-medieval period, as the settlements and farms of the region consolidated their estates. Only an area immediately north of the site boundary around Stubwood was substantially enclosed during the 19th century, displaying the straight lanes and boundaries characteristic of the 18th/19th Century Semi-Planned Enclosure category used by the Historic Landscape Character project.

7.6.2 The earliest elements of the current built environment also date to the post-medieval period, many to the 18th century. This includes Woodseat House itself (HER No. 50809-MST12397), and perhaps some of its outbuildings (HER No. 50810-MST12398; although most of these date to the 19th century); the ice house to the east of the house (HER No. 50812- MST12400) and the lodge a short distance east of the study site boundary (HER No. 50811-MST12399) might also date to the 18th century, or perhaps the 19th. The landscaped park surrounding Woodseat House might also have origins in the 18th century, although its extent and form can only be ascertained from later maps (see below). Just outside the northeast edge of the study site, the Grade II* listed Banks Farmhouse dates to the 18th century (also known as Mince Pie Hall; HER No. 08852-MST8520 and 52944- MST14378; List No. 1231926), and the farm itself might have been

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 10 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant established during this period, as it is not associated with any of the ridge and furrow field systems discussed earlier. Fieldhead Farm, about 300m beyond the study site’s southwest boundary, features another notable 18th century farmhouse, which is Grade II listed (HER No. 11516-MST8510; List No. 1231046), as are its outbuildings (HER No, 11517-MST8511; List No. 1231912 and 1278310); the complex is located at the centre of the ridge and furrow field system associated with Combridge, and was probably established there as part of the process of enclosure described earlier.

7.6.3 The early 19th century witnessed the construction of the Uttoxeter branch of the Caldon Canal, built along the 85m OD contour line edging the Churnet flood plain between 1808 and 1811 (HER No. 05166-MST4701). The canal was closed by 1849 to make way for the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, which opened that year, and in this area was largely laid along the backfilled canal cut (HER No. 50754-MST12339). Southeast of Woodseat House the cut was landscaped to make an ornamental lake, located immediately west of the railway line, which was fed by a stream flowing from the west, itself dammed to form a series of ponds south of the house (shown on the estate map described below). Rocester station was located just beyond the site’s northeast boundary, and the railway carried passengers until 1965.

7.6.4 By 1853 the study site was entirely within the possession of William Henry Bainbridge, as it formed part of his Woodseat Estate, which he surveyed that year, producing the map shown in Figure 5. There is a series of papers in the Staffordshire Record Office pertaining to the Bainbridge family (D757/1) that would repay further research, and may show how the family constructed and developed the Woodseat Estate throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. By this time, several other small farms had appeared within the study area (although all are excluded by the boundary of the proposed development area, which deviates around them): just outside the northern boundary of the study site, a farm named Alders (now New House Farm) had been established where Hollington Road crosses the Alders Brook; three small enclosures, each containing a house, were arranged along the southern

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 11 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant side of the road beginning directly opposite Alders and stretching east (and so within the northern boundary of the site; the easternmost is now called Alders Brook Cottage). At the southern end of the study site two small complexes had been established on Combridge Lane (now Cornhill Farm to the west and Laundry Cottage to the east), each carved out of the southern end of one of the narrow fields created by the enclosure of the open fields. The map also provides a clear record of the park around Woodseat House and the various enclosures and areas of ancient woodland, which had been created over the preceding centuries as described above.

7.6.5 Other than the construction of the canal and railway, the 19th century and the first half of the 20th do not appear to have impacted greatly on the study site. Very few field boundaries had disappeared by 1881, the year the First Edition Ordnance Survey (hereafter OS) map was published, and those that had are largely still identifiable on that map as lines of trees (see Figure 6). The series of ponds south of Woodseat House had been filled in by 1881, and a new plantation (called New Plantation) was added to the ancient woodland west of the house between 1881 and 1901 (the date of the Second Edition OS map; see Figure 7). Woodseat House underwent some alteration: the house had gained several new outbuildings by 1881, including a U- shaped courtyard complex to the north, a set of glasshouses to the west, and further west a formally-arranged rectangular garden, perhaps a kitchen garden. Thereafter, the Woodseat complex evolved more subtly, with no major alterations until the second half of the 20th century (see below), as detailed by subsequent OS maps. Banks Farm also evolved quite subtly: the farmhouse and courtyard complex visible on the 1853 map had been filled out with addition buildings on the 1881 OS map, and a small outlying structure to the east had disappeared; thereafter, no major alterations were made, and it remains very similar today. On the northern boundary of the site the middle of the three houses on the southern side of Hollington Road had been demolished by 1881, but otherwise the situation remained much as it had been in 1853 into the later 20th century. At the southern end of the study site, the eastern of the two farm complexes (Laundry Cottage) had lost part of an outlying building to the north by 1881, and this had completely disappeared by

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 12 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

1901; otherwise, as elsewhere, this complex and that to the west (Cornhill Farm) remained largely unaltered into the second half of the 20th century. Just outside the study site’s northeast boundary, a house named The Rookery, together with a farm complex arranged around a courtyard (now Rookery Cottage) were constructed between 1881 and 1901, a short distance east of Banks Farm.

7.6.6 Across the study site a significant number of field boundaries were removed over the course of the second half of the 20th century (maps not shown due to copyright), due to the intensification of agricultural practice during this period; notably, the area north and west of Woodseat and its field systems and parkland is now largely open, classified by the Historic Landscape Character project as Post War Amalgamated Fields. The JCB headquarters building was constructed immediately northeast of the site’s northeast corner in the third quarter of the 20th century, as was the large pool in the northeast part of the site. By the mid-1970s the main house at Woodseat had lost its midsection, and remains ruinous to this day. In the southern part of the study site Cornhill Farm and Laundry Cottage again remain largely as they were, although an additional cottage (Fourwinds) had been built immediately west of Laundry Cottage by 1971.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 13 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 5: 1853 Estate Map

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 14 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 6: 1886 OS Map (1:10,560; same as 1881 OS Map 1:2,500)

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 15 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 7: 1901 OS Map

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 16 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 8: 1924 OS Map (1:10,560; same as 1922 OS Map 1:2,500)

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 17 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

8.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL AND SIGNIFICANCE 8.1 General (Appendix 1) 8.1.1 Appendix 1 contains the list of HER monuments within the 1.5km search radius. See Figure 8 for locations of HER assets.

8.2 Prehistoric 8.2.1 The only certain evidence for prehistoric activity has been found on the Rocester peninsula, in an area of more easily-worked soils, and it is quite possible that the study site and its hinterland were of a marginal wooded character during much of the prehistoric period, perhaps used periodically for pasture. The archaeological potential for encountering archaeology from this period on the site is considered to be low.

8.4 Roman 8.4.1 The Roman fort and settlement at Rocester lies less than 1km to the east of the study site, and the line of the Roman road from Chesterton through Rocester and on to Littlechester passes through the northern part of the study site (HER No. 05167). The archaeological potential for encountering archaeology from this period on parts of the site is considered to be moderate.

8.5 Early Medieval 8.5.2 Place-name evidence indicates that study site and its hinterland were wooded during this period, perhaps used for wood pasture by the inhabitants of the estate at Rocester. The archaeological potential for encountering archaeology from this period on the site is considered to be low.

8.6 Medieval 8.6.1 Woodseat may have begun as an animal enclosure, if its name has been interpreted correctly, an earthwork candidate for this enclosure lies within the study site north of the present house (HER No. 04527). Ridge and furrow earthworks belonging to the medieval farm or settlement on the site of the present house were recorded in the fields surrounding it, as well as towards the southern corner of the study site (HER Nos. 04527, 50806 and

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 18 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

20122), although only those north of the house, and perhaps remnants of those immediately south and east, now survive; archaeological deposits related to the earlier settlement at Woodseat and to the agricultural exploitation of its surrounding fields may survive archaeologically. The archaeological potential for encountering archaeology from this period on parts of the site is considered to be high.

8.7 Post-medieval 8.7.1 The open medieval fields surrounding Woodseat were enclosed during this period; several small house and farm complexes were established at various locations near the edges of the site by the mid-19th century. Many field boundaries were removed during the second half of the 20th century, but may well survive as buried ditches. The former course of the Churnet Valley Line of the North Staffordshire Railway (HER No. 50754), itself built on the backfilled cut of the Uttoxeter Branch of the Caldon Canal (HER No. 05166), runs southwest to northeast through the eastern part of the site, and parts of these structures probably remain archaeologically, especially in the vicinity of the ornamental pool formed from the canal cut. East of this line, in the northeast part of the site, the earthworks of a water meadow system in the floodplain of the Churnet survive south of a large pool that has otherwise truncated the rest of them (HER No. 54129-MST17898). The archaeological potential for encountering archaeology from this period on parts of the site is therefore considered to be high.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 19 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 9.1 This study has shown that the study area was probably of marginal concern to prehistoric communities, perhaps of wooded character throughout this period, and the succeeding Roman and Early Medieval periods. The line of the Roman road between Chesterton and Little Chester runs within the site, parallel to and a short distance from its northern boundary, and when considered together with the proximity of the Roman fort and settlement at Rocester to the east, suggests a moderate potential for Roman archaeology in the northern part of the site. The earthworks of a possible medieval stock enclosure north of Woodseat House in the centre of the site may relate to the place-name ‘Woodseat’, and might represent the earliest substantial medieval activity on the site. Moreover, ridge and furrow earthworks related to late medieval farms or settlements at Woodseat and Combridge were recorded across the central and southern portions of the site, and may have survived subsequent ploughing to the north of Woodseat House and in the parkland immediately surrounding the house. Overall there is a high potential for late medieval rural archaeology in these parts of the site.

9.2 The Post-Medieval period on the site is represented by continuing occupation at Woodseat, resulting in the present house and farm complex, as well as at a number of farms around the edges of the site probably established in the 18th or 19th centuries. This activity, and the removal of a substantial number of field boundaries in the second half of the 20th century, indicates that there is a high potential for archaeology of this period across the site, again of a predominantly rural character. Additionally, the earthworks of a water meadow system probably survive south of the large pool in the northeast part of the site. Finally, the construction of the Caldon Canal and later the Churnet Valley Railway within the eastern part of the site renders the possibility of related archaeology probable here, certainly including the ornamental lake created from the remains of the canal cut southeast of the Woodseat House.

9.3 With the exception of the Roman road and the possible medieval enclosure, none of the potential archaeology on the site is of more than local

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 20 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant importance. If any ground along the route of the Roman road or on the site of the medieval enclosure is to be reduced, disturbance of the archaeology can be mitigated via a watching brief. If ground is to be made up on top of the medieval enclosure, a survey of the surviving earthworks there will be required before they are obscured.

10.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

10.1 Many thanks to Andrew Hayward for commissioning this report. Many thanks also to Suzy Blake at Staffordshire County Council for her assistance with the HER data. Grateful Thanks to Clare Sargent for proofreading.

11.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Department for Communities and Local Government. 2010. Planning Policy Statement 5; Planning for the Historic Environment. TSO (The Stationery Office): Norwich

Horovitz, David. 2005. The Place-Names of Staffordshire. David Horovitz, Brewood

Institute for Archaeologists. revised Oct 2008. Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk Based Assessment. Institute for Archaeologists.

Ragg, J. M., Beard, G. R., George, H., Heaven, F. W., Hollis, J. M., Jones, R. J. A., Palmer, R. C., Reeve, M. J., Robson, J. D., & Whitfield, W. A. D. 1984. Soils and their use in Midland and Western England. Lawes Agricultural Trust, Harpenden

Staffordshire Record Office OS Maps (1:10,560): 1886 1901 1924

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 21 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Woodseat Estate Map, 1853: 1176/A/16/1a-b

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 22 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

APPENDIX 1: Historic Environment Record – Sites and Monuments The entries in the HER database of sites and monuments within 1.5km of a central point within the study site, NGR SK 094 385, have been reproduced below. The entries are sorted into historical periods, Note that some sites relate to more than one time period, and are therefore replicated in the relevant tables.

Prehistoric Period Primary Record Site Name Record Type Description Number 01571 Possible Barrow, Lowfields, North Monument A circular earthwork and narrow ditch located on top of a hill at Lowfields of Crakemarsh and interpreted as the remains of a possible barrow. The feature does, however correspond with a circular enclosure shown on historic mapping and appears a little regular in form to be a barrow. 01804 Necked Beaker, Rocester Find Spot A necked beaker of Bronze Age date, found at Rocester in 1939

02202 Prehistoric Flint, Rocester Find Spot A Prehistoric flint blade found at Rocester

02533 Cropmark Features, Rocester Monument Linear features, ring ditches and a pit alignment, identified as cropmarks to the south of Rocester. Of possible late Prehistoric or Roman date.

Roman Period Primary Record Site Name Record Type Description Number 04002 Road / Trackway, Brookend, Monument The possible course of a trackway suggested to be the remains Uttoxeter of a Roman Road 05167 Littlechester to Chesterton Monument Part of the possible course of a Roman road between Roman Road Littlechester and Chesterton. A collection of Items found during metal detecting 'near Rocester' 50417 Roman Finds, Rocester Find Spot in 2001-2002. The finds are of mainly Roman date and include

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 23 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

coins, a knife, a brooch and a stylus

Early - Medieval Period Primary Record Site Name Record Type Description Number 03934 Combridge (Placename) Place A significant place name, possibly indicating a bridge over a narrow valley

Medieval Period Primary Record Site Name Record Type Description Number 04527 Enclosure, Woodseat, Rocester Monument A large rectangular enclosure on the hillside over looking the River Dove. The enclosure was originally interpreted as a possible moated site however the narrowness and situation of it may indicate a different function (for example as a stock enclosure). 20121 Ridge and Furrow, Fieldhead Monument The earthwork and cropmark remains of medieval ridge and Farm furrow, identified on aerial photography from 1963. The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 20122 Ridge and Furrow, Combridge, Monument on aerial photographs from 1963 in the Combridge area Rocester The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 20123 Ridge and Furrow, West of Nabb Monument Lane, Croxden on aerial photographs from 1963

The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow identified on 20124 Ridge and Furrow, The Riddings, Monument aerial photography in the Croxden area Croxden The earthwork remains of medieval or later ridge and furrow, 20128 Ridge and Furrow, Brookend Monument identified on aerial photography from 1963. The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 20129 Ridge and Furrow, South-west of Monument on aerial photography from 1963 to the south-west of

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 24 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Combridge, Combridge, Uttoxeter. Uttoxeter The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 20140 Ridge and Furrow, Woottons Monument on aerial photographs from 1963 in the vicinity of Woottons Farm, Croxden Farm, Croxden.

The earthwork remains of medieval or later ridge and furrow, 20219 Ridge and Furrow Monument identified on aerial photographs from 1963 The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow identified on 50780 Ridge and Furrow, North of Monument Woodhouse Cottages, aerial photographs from 1963 to the north of Woodhouse Cottages, Croxden. Much of the ridge and furrow was still extant Croxden in 2000. The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow identified on 50781 Ridge and Furrow, West of Monument aerial photographs from 1963 in the area to the west of Woodhouse Farm, Woodhouse Farm, Croxden. Traces of the earthworks were still Croxden visible on aerial photographs from 2000. The earthwork remains of medieval or later ridge and furrow 50782 Ridge and Furrow, Woodhouse Monument Farm, Croxden identified on aerial photographs from 1963 in the vicinity of Woodhouse Farm, Croxden. Traces of the earthworks were still visible on aerial photographs from 2000. The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 50783 Ridge and Furrow, North of Monument on aerial photographs from 1963 to the north of Woottons, Woottons, Croxden Croxden. Traces of the earthworks are still visible on aerial photographs from 2000

The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 50805 Ridge and Furrow, Riddings Monument Farm, Denstone on aerial photography from circa 1999/2000 in the vicinity of Riddings Farm, Denstone. The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 50807 Ridge and Furrow, Near Monument on aerial photography from 1963. The earthworks may have Woodseat, Rocester formed part of a more extensive water meadow field system (PRN 54130) during the post medieval period.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 25 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

A silver double patard of Charles the Bold, minted in Flanders 61099 Coin Findspot, Croxden Find Spot between AD 1467-77 recovered during metal detecting in Croxden parish before April 2006. The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 54126 Ridge and Furrow, West of Monument on aerial photographs from 1963. The area is now in use as a Rocester sports ground and the survival of any earthworks is unclear The earthwork remains of medieval ridge and furrow, identified 54128 Ridge and Furrow, South of Monument on aerial photographs from 1963. These earthworks may Rocester have formed part of a more extensive water meadow field system in the post medieval period The earthwork remains of medieval or later ridge and furrow, 54129 Ridge and Furrow, South-West of Monument identified on aerial photographs from 1963. The ridge and Rocester furrow has been largely destroyed with much of the area having been excavated to form a large pool, although some earthwork remains are still extant to the south of the pool.

Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, 55383 Ridge and Furrow, North-East of Monument Riddings Farm, identified during a survey to the north-east of Riddings Farm, Denstone. Denstone Possible ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later 55384 Possible Ridge and Furrow, East Monument ploughing, identified in a survey in the area to the east of of Woodhouse Woodhouse Fields, Denstone. Fields, Denstone Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, 55385 Ridge and Furrow, Woodhouse Monument identified in a survey in the area of Woodhouse Fields, Croxden Fields, Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55386 Ridge and Furrow, North of New Monument identified as part of a survey in the area to the north of New Plantation, Plantation, Rocester Rocester

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 26 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55387 Ridge and Furrow, South of Monument Woodhouse Fields, identified as part of a survey in the area to the south of Woodhouse Fields, Croxden Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55385 Ridge and Furrow, South of Monument identified as part of a survey in the area to the south of Woodhouse Fields, Woodhouse Fields, Croxden Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55389 Ridge and Furrow, South of Monument identified as part of a survey in the area to the south of Woodhouse Fields, Woodhouse Fields, Croxden. Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55390 Ridge and Furrow, West of Pit Monument Holes Plantation, identified as part of a survey in the area to the west of Pit Holes Plantation, Croxden Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55391 Ridge and Furrow, South-East of Monument identified as part of a survey to the south-east of Woottons, Woottons, Croxden Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55392 Ridge and Furrow, South-East of Monument identified as part of a survey to the south-east of Woottons, Woottons, Croxden Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55406 Ridge and Furrow, Nothill Farm, Monument Croxden identified as part of a desk top survey in the vicinity of Nothill Farm, Croxden Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55407 Ridge and Furrow, Nothill Farm, Monument Croxden identified as part of a desk top survey in the vicinity of Nothill Farm, Croxden. Ridge and furrow, evidence of medieval and later ploughing, was 55410 Ridge and Furrow, The Alders, Monument identified as part of a desk top survey in the area around Uttoxeter The Alders, Uttoxeter

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 27 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Ridge and furrow earthworks, evidence of medieval and later 55651 Ridge and Furrow, North-West of Monument Rocester ploughing, identified on aerial photography to the north-west of Rocester. The area has since been developed

Ridge and furrow earthworks, evidence of medieval and later 55652 Ridge and Furrow, North-West of Monument ploughing, identified on aerial photography to the north-west of Rocester Rocester. The area has since been re-landscaped with the creation of bunds and an ornamental lake

Post-Medieval Period Primary Record Site Name Record Type Description Number 02176 th Toll House, West of Rocester Monument Documentary evidence for the site of a toll house in the mid-19 century.

02177 Canal Wharf and Warehouse, Monument A canal basin and warehouse marked on the tithe map adjacent to the Uttoxeter Branch of the Caldon Canal west of Caldon Canal, Rocester Rocester

02178 Lime Kilns, West of Rocester Monument Documentary evidence for the site of two lime kilns on the Uttoxeter Branch of the Caldon Canal (west of Rocester) in the early 19th century 02291 Rocester Mill / Podmore’s Mill Monument A listed late 19th century cotton mill of three storeys. Possibly later used as a corn mill? An irregular linear feature mapped from aerial photography. The 03999 Former Field Boundary, Brookend Monument feature is aligned roughly east-west and appears to Farm, Rocester correspond with a former field boundary shown on the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey mapping Part of the former route of a canal, which was built between 1808 05166 Uttoxeter Branch of the Caldon Monument and 1811. The canal had closed by 1849 to make way for

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 28 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Canal (Stramshall to the Churnet Valley Railway. At Woodseat part of the canal was Crumpwood transformed into an ornamental lake (see PRN 40316). A landscaped area or park around Woodseat, the extent of which 0316 Woodseat Park, Rocester Monument is defined on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1901. A Second World War pillbox located next to a trackway on the 05619 Pillbox, Rocester Monument west side of the River Dove A listed two-storey farmhouse with gable-lit attic, dated to circa 11516 Fieldhead Farmhouse, Building Combridge, Rocester 1700 A range of outbuildings of red brick with clay tile roofs including 11517 Cowhouses, Granary and Stable, Building cowhouses, a granary and a stable. The northern range (a 5- Fieldhead Farm, bay cowhouse with granary) is dated to circa 1700, with an early Combridge, Rocester 19th century range to the west (also a cowhouse) and a mid to late 19th century single storey stable range to the east. A mid to late 19th century stable range with cart shed. The range 11518 Stables and Cart Shed, Fieldhead Building is U-shaped in plan and of red brick construction with clay Farmhouse, tile roof. Combridge, Rocester A listed early 19th century hump-back bridge of dressed stone 08849 Churnet Bridge and Causeway, Monument High Street, construction, with three semi-circular arches spanning the River Churnet. Rocester A listed early 18th century farmhouse of red brick, L-shaped in 08852 Banks Farmhouse, Rocester Building plan with an octagonal tower. A section of the former Churnet Valley Branch of the North 50754 Churnet Valley Railway Monument th (Denstone to Uttoxeter) Staffordshire Railway, constructed in the mid 19 century, and used for over 100 years for both passenger and industrial traffic The site of a house named ‘Littleworth’ in the late 19th century, 50784 Littleworth, Woodhouse Fields, Monument which appears to have had an associated garden or Nabb Lane, Croxden paddock. The house and garden are no longer extant, although traces of their former location and extant are identifiable on aerial photographs from 1963

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 29 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

A weir and the remains of a former mill race, associated with 50808 Mill Race and Weir, Podmore's Monument Mill, Rocester Podmore's Mill (PRN 02291). The mill race has been truncated by later development A late 18th century house of three storeys, which has stood in 50809 Woodseat House, Roceste Monument ruins since at least the 1970s Outbuildings of at least late 19th century (possibly earlier) and 50810 Outbuildings, Woodseat House, Monument Rocester associated with Woodseat Hall, which are shown on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1888. The outbuildings included two ‘U’ shaped ranges, although part of one of the ranges and additional outbuildings have been demolished with the area now used for parking A lodge of possible late 18th century date, situated at the 50811 Woodseat Lodge, Rocester Building entrance to the grounds of Woodseat House The site of an icehouse of possible late 18th or 19th century date, 50812 Icehouse, Woodseat, Rocester Monument situated within the grounds of Woodseat house. An isolated farmstead laid out around a regular, four-sided 52922 Fieldhead Farm, Combridge, Monument courtyard with additional detached outbuildings. The farmstead is Rocester of probable early 18th century origin, and has developed and expanded over time. An isolated farmstead laid out around a regular L-plan courtyard. 52944 Banks Farm, Rocester Monument Of probable early 18th century origin The Ashbourne Branch of the North Staffordshire Railway, which 53940 North Staffordshire Railway Monument was probably constructed in the mid 19th century (Ashbourne Branch) A relict field boundary which once formed part of the County 54127 Relict Boundary, Rocester Monument boundary between Staffordshire and Derbyshire. An extensive area of former water meadow identified on aerial 54130 Water Meadow, Rocester Monument photography and historic mapping. Some of the earthwork remains of the water meadow system are still extant and in places may originally have been (interpreted as) medieval ridge and furrow. The crash site of a British Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V 54415 Aircraft Crash Site, Rocester Monument British heavy bomber, which crashed due to engine failure as it flew over Rocester in May 1943. The crew abandoned the

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 30 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

aircraft. A boundary stone, originally marking the boundary between the 55947 Parish Boundary Stone, Monument parishes of Rocester and Denstone Denstone A Guide Post, on the Rocester/ Croxden Boundary. The post is 55999 Guide Post, Rocester/ Croxden Monument Boundary cast iron and painted black and white. The signage reads: 'STUBWOOD, DENSTONE' 'Methodist Church.

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 31 C.Henshaw, Archaeological Consultant

Figure 9: HER map of Assets within the study area

Heritage Statement for surrounding Woodseat House, Rocester, Staffordshire 32