Heritage Information
Historic Environment
Below are a sample of the many sites of historic interest in the Weaver Valley Regional Park.
Lion Salt Works is a Scheduled Monument and some of the buildings are Grade II listed. It was set up in 1842 as 2 separate salt works and later combined to form the Lion Salt Works (named after the nearby Red Lion Pub). The remains of the earlier works lie beneath the later works. They were open pan saltworks where brine was boiled in large flat metal pans to create block salt. The company was in operation until 1986. It is now run by a Trust set up by Cheshire County Council and Vale Royal Borough Council. The surviving buildings include the two pan sheds, the late 19th century office, Salt Shed, Engine Shed and Pump House. The brine was pumped out of the ground from a depth of 50m, using a beam pump, and later a steam engine (now operated by electric motor).
Weaver Hall on London Road Northwich is a former workhouse of 1837. It is a two storeyed brick building with a pediment and clock turret built by George Latham. It is now used as a Salt Museum and is the Head Quarters of Cheshire County Council Museum Services. The original building is symetrical, with a slightly later wing to the right.
The Anderton Boat Lift is Grade I listed and a Scheduled Monument. It was built in 1875 to lift canal boats 50ft from the Weaver Navigation to the Trent and Mersey Canal, as an alternative to a series of locks. It was designed by Edwin Clark of Clark, Stansfield and Clark, Westminster and was the first boat lift of its kind in the world. It was operated hydraulically with two wrought iron caissons working side by side in an iron framework. The lift worked by removing water from the lower caisson. Corrosion of the hydraulic system meant it had to be replaced in 1908. The rams were removed and a new framework installed which operated by a system of pulleys and counterweights and an electric drive. It was connected to the main line of the Trent and Mersey Canal by a wrought iron aqueduct, 162ft (50 metres) long supported on 30 iron piers. The lift was closed in the 1980's needing major repairs. This work has now been carried out and the lift is now the only boat lift operating in Britain. It has been restored to its original hydraulic operation.
Present day Middlewich is believed to be the site of the Roman settlement of Salinae. Centred along King Street the civilian settlement covers an area of around 50 acres. It is suggested that occupation began around 90AD, possibly as the civilian settlement of the auxiliary fort in Harbutt's field which was later abandoned. The settlement was mainly of an industrial nature with 1st to 4th century evidence of salt working, iron melting, smithying, leadworking, glassworking and potting.
However, a study of the Roman coins found in the area suggests an earlier date for the settlement. A number of republican coins, and those of Augustus (27BC - 14AD) and Nero (54-68AD) suggests that there was a military presence in Middlewich in pre Flavian times, possibly related to Roman campaigns to conquer the Brigantian territory (modern day Lancashire). Flavian is the term used to describe the period in Roman History (69 - 96AD) when the empire was ruled by Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian.
Roman artefacts are first recorded in the area in the 18th and 19th centuries including coins, metalwork and typical Roman pottery. Watkin published details from several antiquarian accounts in his book "Roman Cheshire", including a description of earthworks of a fort in Harbutta's field, and descriptions of discoveries made in the area of the railway station and the gas works.
Extensive excavations were carried out in the area adjacent to King Street Roman Road, between 1964 - 1975 by J.D Bestwick, uncovering evidence or Roman saltworking
In the 1990's a number of evaluations in advance of new development, found further roman buildings and evidence of both salt and pottery manufacture. The defensive ditch of the fort was also located by geophysics and confirmed by sample excavation. Roman coins have been found in Middlewich by chance find and fieldwork. More information on Roman Middlewich.
Information on these and many more historical and archaeological sites in Cheshire can be found on the Revealing Cheshire's Past website.
For advice on all aspects of the historic environment in Cheshire contact the Natural and Historic Environment Team at Cheshire County Council.
Natural Environment
Here are a few examples of sites of wildlife interest in the Regional Park. The Weaver Valley Natural Environment Task Group is currently drafting a vision and action plan that will cover, biodiversity, flood risk and climate change
Dutton Park is a new reserve owned by the Woodland Trust. It has been planted with 60 hectares of new broadleaved woodland to link up some of the sites of ancient woodland in the Weaver Valley.
The Nantwich Riverside Park project has been developed by Action Upper Weaver, as part of the Mersey Basin Campaign in partnership with Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council and Cheshire County Council. The project aims to improve and develop the riverside park as a biodiversity, recreation and education resource recognising its value to the local population and as a wildlife corridor and link into the wider countryside. The project aims to improve links to the canal network and develop opportunities for healthy living initiatives and leisure opportunities.
The Northwich Community Woodlands covers an area of 374ha, of which 221ha has been created by regenerating derelict land mainly resulting from the salt dependent chemical industry over the past 150 years. The remaining area of 153ha comprises a restored landfill, owned by Cheshire County Council, and land owned by the Forestry Commission.
The long-term goal for the Northwich Community Woodlands is that they will make an effective contribution towards the social and economic renaissance of Northwich and consequently the Northwest.
Developing the Northwich Community Woodlands, from derelict land, has made a significant improvement to the visual image, aesthetics and public safety, of the area. The legacy of derelict land arising from the salt dependent chemical industry, has been successfully tackled. The community woodlands contribute towards making Northwich a better place to live, work, investment into the area and visit.
Anderton Boat Lift, Lion Salt Works and Marbury Country Park are tourist destinations linked, by the infrastructure of the Northwich Community Woodlands, to Northwich Town Centre. The Northwich Community Woodlands will continue to be used by the general public for recreational activities, and to become a high quality, desirable visitor destination. View the History of the project
The river Weaver was canalised in 1798 from Frodsham as far as Winsford forming the Weaver Navigation to allow salt to be transported to Liverpool for export. Adjacent to the river are the Winsford Flashes. These are areas of open water created by underground salt layers being dissolved followed by the collapse of the overlying rock. Flashes are common features of the Cheshire landscape and Winsford's are the largest and most well known. Middle Flash is now silted up but Top and Bottom Flashes are used for fishing and Bottom Flash is popular for sailing. These two are both Sites of Biological Importance. More information on Winsford Flashes.