Ashton Motte

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Lane End Farm

In the civil parish of Ashton. In the historic county of Cheshire (Modern Authority of Cheshire, 1974 county of Cheshire).

The earthwork at Ashton is possible a ring-motte, but it is much obscured on the W and N by buildings etc. the site was trenched by the farmer in 1950 when the base of a rough stone wall to the east was found. Fragments of coal were found behind it, and Mr Webster (the curator, Grosvenor Museum) suggested it was probably a boundary wall of late date.
A probable small motte, situated upon a low ridge south of Ashton. The earthwork, 30,0m in diameter at the base, 1.2m high, with a flat top, 14.0m across, has been reduced and spread by ploughing and has been cut into on the N by farmyard walls.
There are no traces of a periphery bank and Webster's and Thompson's ring-motte classification cannot be substantiated. A scarp, 0.6 to 0.8m high, 20.0m S of the mound, may possibly represent the outer lip of a ditch but is more likely to be natural.
On a low ridge on the S edge of Ashton village, are the very mutilated remains of an alleged motte. The site has been flattened by farm access from the NE, and by activity around farm buildings on the west. The whole has been puddled by cattle Tread. Because of this activity, and due to the proximity of the road, the form and overall dimensions are difficult to establish, but viewed from the southwest it appears as a pronounced swelling in the corner of the field. To the E a spread scarp falling to the N has been interpreted as a ditch, but the feature sits uncomfortably with the "motte", and seems too angular to be a convincing ditch. In the absence of historical reference, the interpretation of the feature as a motte is unwise, and its function, and antiquity must be left open to question. (PastScape)
Located on southern edge of village, but some 900m from the parish church, which is isolated.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SJ50556904

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 71320
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 1852/1 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.