Lowther Castle Chicken Sheds, Cumbria- Watching Brief

OA North was commissioned by the Lowther Estates to undertake an archaeological watching brief during a programme of demolition of a series of chicken sheds which overlay the remains of relict castles at Lowther Castle (centred on NGR NY 5220 2383). The survival of these remains had previously been determined by a programme of archaeological evaluation which had identified structures believed to be parts of a medieval castle (Lowther 1) and also a seventeenth century castle (Lowther 2).
The watching brief took place during August and September 2008, which identified and recorded structural remains of the former castles. The watching brief has ensured that the demolition works were carried out without damaging or destroying any underlying archaeological features or deposits, and it has established the southern limit of archaeological potential in the area. The demolition of the chicken sheds in the vicinity of the Lowther Castle has had no negative impact on the archaeological resource but the identified remains are located close to or at the present ground surface and, as such, the area remains sensitive to any further ground works.