Dutton Hall, Ribchester, Lancashire. Watching Brief Report

A watching brief was undertaken by Lancaster University Archaeological Unit (LUAU) in
December 2000, at Dutton Hall, Dutton, near Ribchester, Lancashire (NGR SD 6617 3683). The
work was commissioned by Mr and Mrs Andrew Penny and was intended to monitor the impact of
a new drive being excavated on the site. Elements of the hall date to the early seventeenth century,
and the Lancashire Sites and Monuments Records shows the possible presence of a Deserted
Medieval Village on the site. In consideration of the archaeological potential a planning
recommendation was made for a watching brief to be undertaken on a proposed drainage channel
associated with the drive. However, following further negotiations with the County
Archaeological Officer, it was agreed that monitoring of the topsoil strip for the drive would be
more productive, particularly adjacent to the hall; this was duly carried out.