Archaeological
Excavation
Of the Leat at
Marland Mill Farm,
Rochdale

Whittall, Kirsty

Abstract

This report presents the results of an archaeological evaluation at Marland Mill, Rochdale, in
January 2014. Marland Mill lies in a small valley adjacent to the Sudden Brook, at a height of
c. 111m AOD. A desk-based assessment and building survey in 2013 identified the site as
having origins as a medieval corn mill, which was re-used for the textile industry in the mid-
19th century. The line of a leat used as a tail race for the mill was identified during this initial
work. This feature will be affected by development to the north of the mill building.
The evidence from the three evaluation trenches shows that the leat was a stone-lined and
covered culverted, and is still preserved and functioning within the study area. The evidence
from T1 showed a stone covered water source that, when damaged, flooded the entire western
end of the trench. T2 and T3 also highlighted the continuation of this structure throughout the
southern field. It seems likely that the present form of the leat dates from the 19th century
when the corn mill was converted to textile uses and the leat covered over. Until the mid-19th
century this has been an open feature.

Citation

Rochdale

• Other Type: Teaching Resource
• Deposit Date: Oct 9, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 9, 2017
• Additional Information: Data type : Technical Reports; Location of work : Rochadale, Greater Manchester; Type of work : Excavation; Period : Post-Medieval