Wilton to St Bees, Whitehaven, Cumbria, Desk-Based Assessment and Walkover Survey

Following a proposal by United Utilities for the construction of a new pipeline between St Bees and Whitehaven (NY 93743 10982 to 97643 15083), Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned to undertake a desk-based assessment and walkover survey.

The desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken in May 2007 and identified 55 sites of archaeological interest within the study area, ranging in date from the prehistoric to post-medieval periods. Of these sites, 19 were assessed as being likely to be affected by the proposed works. These comprised field boundaries (Sites 1 and 10), field systems (Sites 9, 36, and 54), a cairn (Site 2), roads (Sites 8, 18, and 55), three sets of gateposts (Sites 11, 26, 27), two field entrances (Sites 12 and 13), a pond (Site 14), an early medieval holy well (Site 19), a medieval chapel (Site 22), a deserted medieval village (Site 31), and a set of cropmarks (Site 49). Due to the diverse nature of the sites along the proposed development route, different strategies were recommended for recording, monitoring, and undertaking further investigations for each site. These included topographic and photographic surveys, evaluation trenching, and watching briefs, which will all be subject to separate reports