High Legh - Cheshire East

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Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   Text © Copyright January 2007, Humphrey Bolton; licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.
Images also under a similar Creative Commons Licence.


Introduction

This article was revised in December 2021. The locations of the images can be seen by clicking on them to open up the image page. Google Streetview can be used to do a virtual tour of the parish. The boundary of High Legh is shown on the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map, which can be seen in a popup window by clicking on the map on one of the image pages.

Sources

Much of the historic information in this article is from old Ordnance Survey 1:2500 scale maps, which can be viewed on the National Library of Scotland website.

Descriptions of buildings are from Nikolaus Pevsner and Edward Hubbard, The Buildings of England - Cheshire, and from the Historic England web site.

Other information has been found in N.J.Higham, A Frontier Landscape, and a translation of the Domesday Book published by Penguin (a very fat penguin with 1436 pages!)

History

There is some evidence of prehistoric settlement: an axe at Swineyard Farm, SJ664837, and a ring ditch and round barrow at SJ705846 (Higham). The Romans passed by on King Street at Stretton and on what is now the A556, but another road has been found at SJ670849 and SJ677845 (Higham).

An ancient settlement has been found at Legh Oaks Farm, SJ690832. Two enclosures, one rectangular and one oval, were identified by aerial photography in 1981 and were investigated. They appear to be of late prehistoric and Romano-British date.

The Dark Ages were particularly opaque here, but the township was probably defined by the Saxons and there were two manors in 1086 (Domesday Book), when it was called Lege. Like most of Cheshire, the vill was held by Earl Hugh from the King, and it was sublet to Gilbert de Venables. The population then was only about 30 so only a small part of the vill was cultivated. The manors later passed to two different families, both of which took the name 'Legh'.

In the 12C and 13C there was a rapid expansion of the farmed area as previously uncultivated land was sold or leased and many farms established. The largest of these, Swineyard Hall and Northwood Hall, were on land given to the younger sons of one of the Legh families. These were built inside a moat, a fashionable status-symbol at that time. These estates were added to over the years and in effect became manors; the one based on Swineyard Hall was apparently called Swinehead, and included twelve farms and a watermill by 1319. The land included drained mossland (eg Sink Moss SJ6783). Crops including oats and possibly wheat would have been grown for subsistence, but most of the land became pasture for dairy farming (Higham).

High Legh was in Rostherne Parish, in Bucklow Hundred. The two main halls were East Hall and West Hall, surprisingly close together in what is now the suburban development of High Legh. The Cornwall Leghs lived at East Hall and the Egerton Leighs at West Hall. St Mary's Chapel was built c.1581 as a chapel of ease for East Hall. High Legh became a separate parish for a while from 1817, by which time St John's Church had been built in the grounds of West Hall. The parish was refounded in 1973 with St John's as the parish church. High Legh was in Altrincham Poor law Union from1836-95, and then in Bucklow PLU and Rural District. It became a civil parish in 1866 and still is, but in Macclesfield Borough from 1974 and now in Cheshire East unitary authority. The population was 787 in 1801, 1024 in 1851, 794 in 1901 and 1184 in 1951.

Geography

High Legh is on a low but extensive hill. Much of the parish boundary is along streams. The underlying rock is Keuper Marl, a Triassic mudstone, but this is covered by glacial deposits, clay with patches of sand and gravel. The clay-land was probably wooded in prehistoric times, except in the hollows where peat accumulated, becoming mossland. The sandy areas were heaths.

As often in Cheshire, settlement is dispersed throughout the township, apart from the recent housing estates in High Legh village. It is in the Countryside Commission's Shropshire, Cheshire and North Staffordshire Plain area, and described as a unified rural landscape, with strong field patterns, dominated by dairying but with more mixed and arable farming to the north, eg in High Legh. Mosses, meres and small field ponds are scattered throughout. Subsidence flashes occur to the east of the Cheshire plain. Boundaries are predominantly hedgerows, generally well managed, with abundant hedgerow trees which are mostly oak. Metal railing fences occur locally on estates. Woodlands are few, but the plentiful hedgerow trees give the appearance of a well-wooded landscape. Large farmsteads are regularly spaced throughout. Buildings are predominantly red brick with warm sandstone churches.

The present High Legh village is where two through roads cross: the A50 and what appears from its direct but locally wiggly route to be an ancient road from Northwich in the south to the bridge over the River Bollin near Warburton. From the A50 to Warburton this road is the B5159 (West Lane). The M6 runs close to the southern boundary, and the M56 close to the northern boundary. Their intersection is a 'spaghetti' junction at the western tip of the parish, and the adjacent junction with the A50 gives High Legh a good connection with the motorway network.

Exploration

1. The A50 Warrington Road


The A50 goes from Warrington to the M1, J24, at Kegworth and then from J22 to Leicester. It originally continued via Northampton to the A5 at Hockliffe.

The parish is entered where the road crosses Bradley Brook. The building at the entrance to Primrose Hill Nurseries and garden centre was a smithy c.1900.

[map SJ670849]
SJ6784 : Farm (disused) by Dave Smethurst
Looking south, you can see the derelict buildings of Manor Farm (this is a telephoto image)


At the cross-roads at Primrose Hill. Wither's Lane to the south-west goes past the ruins of Manor Farm, then past Holly Farm to Ivy House Farm and Brook House Farm. The lane here has been cut by the M56.

SJ6684 : A private bridge over the motorway slip road by Ian Greig
From Brook House Farm there is a private bridge over a motorway slip road onto land, presumably still farmed, in the middle of the motorway junction.


Broadheys Lane to the north goes to Broad Heyes Farm, and continues as a footpath to Scholars Bridge over Bradley Brook.

SJ6785 : Pasture land by Dave Smethurst
Footpath along a field edge across pasture.


SJ6785 : Woodland Path by Dave Smethurst
Footpath in The Bongs (Bongs Wood).


Continuing eastwards:

SJ6784 : Lay By on the A50 near Lymm by David Dixon
A layby on the A50. This part of the road, from the M6 to the A34 at Kidsgrove, is typical of the mid-20C trunk roads, one lane each way, curves limiting the chances to overtake slow traffic, and now a 50mph speed limit.


SJ6784 : Cropped Field by Dave Smethurst
The view from the footpath from the west side of the M56 bridge northwards to Mag Lane. The rather faint path is heading towards Big Wood.


SJ6884 : Big Wood by Dave Smethurst
The pond at SJ680849, with Big Wood in the distance.


SJ6885 : Farmland by Dave Smethurst
Looking across grass and wheat stubble to the farm at Granthams (Littleoaks on the c.1897 1:2500 map.


SJ6784 : M56 Westbound by Dave Smethurst
View of the M56 from the A50 bridge.


At the SW corner of Big Wood, there was a kennel and pheasantry in 1910. The house is still called The Pheasantries.

SJ6784 : A50 Passes Heath Lane by Anthony Parkes
The A50 at the Heath Lane junction.


SJ6784 : Heath Lane by Peter Whatley
Heath Lane goes southwards from the A50.


SJ6784 : Fanners Lane by Ian Greig
Fanners Lane off Heath Lane, leading to Rowlinson's Green.


SJ6784 : Houses at Rowlinson's Green by Mike Harris
Semi-detached houses on the edge of woodland on Fanner's Lane, Rowlinson's Green (High Legh).
by Mike Harris


Back on the A50.

[map SJ680844]
SJ6884 : A50 Near Sworton Heath by Peter Whatley
The A50 approaching Swarton Heath.


At Sworton Heath Swineyard Lane goes to the SW, and Mag Lane goes to the N. The heath was on the south side of the A50.
SJ6884 : Swarton Heath, Mag Lane by David Dixon
Mag Lane approaching the A50.


SJ6884 : Tishon House by Peter McDermott
Tishon House shops - Linear Art sell handmade fused glass art designs by Mark Briggs.


SJ6884 : Pub/restaurant at Sworton Heath, Cheshire by Anthony O'Neil
The Bears Paw Inn was the Bearspaw Farm. The barn can be seen on the left, and behind it is the farmhouse The barn is a shop selling fuel and garden. The Kirkmansgreen turnpike was opposite, and also a pound, and there is a public footpath on a driveway to High Legh Tennis Club, passing a late 17C timber-framed house, listed Grade II.


SJ6884 : High Legh Tennis Club  by Trevor Harris
Car park and clubhouse. The club's three courts are to the right of this shot.
by Trevor Harris


The next lane, on the left, is Crabtree Lane.

[map SJ690841]
SJ6984 : A50 junction by David Long
Where Crabtree Lane meets the Knutsford Road
by David Long



SJ6983 : A50 Approaching High Legh by Peter Whatley
The A50 is narrower from Crabtree Lane to West Lane, and has a 40mph speed limit.


SJ6983 : The Village Hall, High Legh by David Dixon
This former school on the triangle of land at the junction of West Lane with the A50, is now used as the village hall.
by David Dixon


SJ6983 : High Legh Village Hall by David Dixon
The school was built in 1904, and became the village hall in the 1980s. There is also an old photograph of it in the Francis Frith collection. It is well-known for its Sunday teas served between Easter and October. They are said to be very good value.


The B5159, West Lane, goes to the left.

SJ6983 : Woodlands Crescent by Anthony O'Neil
The Front Lodge of East Hall was built in 1833-4 in the Italianate style of the time. It is listed, Grade II.


Halliwells Brow goes to the right.
Continuing on the A50.

[map SJ700836]
SJ7083 : A50 At Water Tower Junction by Peter Whatley
You don't see much of High Legh village from the A50.


SJ7083 : The water tower at High Legh by Ian Greig
This water tower is on the right.



There is a milepost, Warrington 7½, Knutsford 4. It is on the modern map, but is not visible on Google Streetview so is probably hidden by vegetation. The ones to the west are neither on the modern maps nor visible on Streetview.

The road leaves the parish at Wrenshot Lane; there is a group of houses on the north-west corner of the junction, including Legh cottage, a 17C timber-framed building, listed Grade II. The left hand gable end has been extended to join the building to a former out-house, and has a dovecote to the left.

2. Swineyard Lane

The road enters the parish at the bridge over the motorway. The road here is a diversion - the original route has been blocked by the M56.

[map SJ655835]
SJ6583 : WWII Cheshire: RNAS Stretton, Compass Swing Base by Mike Searle
A circular concrete hard standing on which aircraft were positioned. Used to accurately adjust aircraft magnetic compasses. Currently the site is being prepared for use as a car park, the lines of blue rope being used to mark out the parking lanes.

START: SJ6583 : WWII Cheshire: RNAS Stretton, Airfield Battle HQ (1)
by Mike Searle


SJ6683 : Stretton Airfield by Peter McDermott
Stretton Airfield was constructed in 1942 as a base for fighter aircraft to protect Liverpool and Manchester from bombing raids. However on completion it was transferred to the Admiralty and renamed HMS Blackcap. It was in use until 1958.


SJ6683 : Crowley Lane by Ian Greig
Crowley Lane was diverted around the Stretton airfield.


The southern part of Wither's Lane, south of the motorway interchange, is on the left.

SJ6684 : Wither's Lane, High Legh by Mike Harris
Wither's Lane, High Legh - a deceptive picture from near the edge of the grid square. Wither's Lane has been cut in two by the vast M6 / M56 motorway interchange that begins less than 100 metres away and spreads over nearly the entire 1 km2 square.
by Mike Harris


SJ6683 : Crowsnest Farm, High Legh by Mike Harris
Crowsnest Farm, High Legh - from corner of Swineyard Lane and Wither's Lane. An idyllic scene, all the more unusual for its proximity to the large M6/M56 motorway interchange to the northwest.
by Mike Harris


SJ6783 : Swineyard Lane by Peter McDermott
View looking along Swineyard Lane.
by Peter McDermott



SJ6783 : Swinyard Hall by Peter McDermott
Swineyard Hall farmhouse is a late 16C building with 19C additions. It is listed, Grade II*. The old part is timber-framed, with a highly decorated gable-end. The rear façade has a six-light stone mullioned and transomed window to ground floor with a similar five-light window above. The moat still exists and is an ancient monument.


SJ6783 : Swinyard Hall by Peter McDermott
Barns at Swinyard Hall farm.
by Peter McDermott


Swineyard Hall originated in the Middle Ages, possibly the early 14C, when the lord of one of the two manors gave a younger son land in the waste of the manor, which presumably had been used as pig-pasture. He built a hall with a moat, a fashionable status-symbol at that time. The sub-manor was apparently called Swinehead, and it was added to until it became a large estate. It included a mill by 1319.

SJ6883 : Swineyard Lane by Peter McDermott
To the east of the Hall Swineyard Lane is straight, passing a huge 26acre field on the right.


[map SJ680839]
SJ6884 : Swortonheath Farm by Peter McDermott
The farmhouse at Swortonheath Farm.
by Peter McDermott


3. Moss Lane

Around Sink Moss

[map SJ678835]
SJ6782 : There's got to be a reason by David Long
Sink Moss Farm. Sink Moss was probably improved for farming in the late middle ages, but has retained the name 'Moss'. There is also a Moss Hall Farm, Moss Oaks Farm and Moss Cottage. The land is drained by ditches and there are ponds in the fields.





SJ6883 : Footpath off Moss Lane to Sink Moss by Ian Greig
I suspect that it is quite difficult to keep to the line of the footpath across these huge arable fields.


Two roads go eastwards from Moss Lane, Hobbs Hill Lane and Golborne Lane.


KML

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