Watching Brief at 'The Orchard', Lymm Hall, Lymm

The Centre of Archaeology was commissioned in March 2019 by Emery Planning to undertake an archaeological watching brief in respect of a proposed residential dwelling at Land off Mayfield View, to the south-east of Lymm Hall, Lymm, Warrington, Cheshire. The watching brief found no features of archaeological interest within the watching brief area. A large well was located within the site. The well was likely to have been formerly associated with Lymm Hall and late 19th or early 20th century in origin. Its location within the Orchard would have been necessary for the upkeep of the extensive grounds. Natural ground was reached across the entirety of the watching brief area. Three main stratified deposits were identified. The first was the mid orange-brown, sandy-clay natural geology, consistent with the known layers within this area of Lymm. This layer was overlain by a layer of mixed sterile subsoil. These layers were sealed by a dark brown organic topsoil. Overall the absence of artefacts and features across the area suggests the site had remained an area of agriculture, free from structures or development throughout its history.