| Catalogue Finding Number | WYHER/13070 |
| Office record is held at | Historical Environment Record, West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service |
| Held Outside WYAS | THE RECORD DESCRIBED IS HELD AND ADMINISTERED BY THE WEST YORKSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD PLEASE CONTACT THEM ON 0113 535 0157 IF YOU WISH TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW THIS RECORD |
| Title | Waterton's Pill Box in The Heronry Woodland, Waterton Park, Walton |
| Description | Waterton's Pill Box in The Heronry Woodland, Waterton Park, Walton. Early to mid 19th century sheltered observation point. The grid reference provided indicates the approximate position (six figure grid reference provided. Feature could not be identified on mapping (OS Mastermap 2011).
The archaeo historical features of Waterton Park were the subject of an archaeological assessment by Peter Thornborrow (WYAS) in 1993. 'Waterton's Pill Box' was one of the features identified. The fieldwork notes are compiled below:
Watch post used by Charles Waterton situated on the edge of woodland called the Heronry half a mile south of Walton Hall. Early to mid 19th century. Built of coursed sandstone with a stone slate roof.
This is a small circular structure with an open doorway facing north towards Walton Hall. Doorway has a carved lintel. There are three large slabs forming the flat roof. Inside are former fixings for a seat. Used by Charles Waterton as a viewing point [naturalist's hide?].
Partly in a state of collapse at the time of inspection.
(Thornborrow, P.H. (WYAS). 1993. 'Waterton's Pill Box on the edge of woodland called the Heronry').
The hide structure was located in an 2005 survey of Haw Park Wood at SE 36601 15682. The survey was undertaken by Archaeological Services WYAS at the request of The Rotary Club of Wakefield. For further information regarding the 2005 Haw Park Wood survey see PRN 8132. The report which contains a photographic image of the feature is held by WYAAS. The description of the 19th century hide is transcribed below:
'A small stone structure was located on the north east boundary of Compartment 1 [with reference to a map contained within the report]. It consists of a small circular stone structure c.2.3m in diameter and 2.4m in height. The walls comprise curved worked sandstone blocks in regular courses that narrow towards the top. The courses are bonded with mortar in a stretcher pattern. A rectangular doorway furnished with a stout lintel faces across the grounds to the north east, with Walton Hall located to the north west. The floor of the structure consists of shaped sandstone flags and the roof consists of five shaped lintels with further stonework above. The structure has suffered considerable damage to the south west (rear) side and collapse of the wall has occurred. Part of the upper roof structure is also missing, although the main lintel structure survives. General erosion of the external sandstone surfaces is also apparent. Fortunately, as part of the current lottery funded project, restoration work of the structure is already underway. The structure apparently functioned as a hide for use within the wildlife park constructed by Charles Waterton in the 19th century, and is the last surviving example of several such hides at Walton Hall'.
(Archaeological Services WYAS. 2005. 'Haw Park Wood. Walton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Archaeological level I survey'). |
| Date | 21st century |
| Extent | contact the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service for information on what is available |
| Level | Item |