Category Archives: Hopwood

The third year of MAS investigations of the Millers Cottage at Hopwood finishes on 23rd October. This year, over 30 MAS members and volunteers have scraped a trowel over this delightful woodland site hidden close to the Hopwood Manor house. Most of the 19th century building foundations, drains and garden features have been meticulously recorded however features that predate the cottage are know beginning to appear.

Most recently, a shard of broken pottery was found which our site director Robert Huddart believes to be medieval, possibly  from the 13 or 14th century. Hopefully the work will continue next year.

Hopwood Miller’s Cottage Excavation 2018 The new season of excavations at Hopwood Millers Cottage starts this Tuesday 24th April. As you may know, Hopwood Miller’s Cottage dates to the 18th century and was occupied until the middle of the 20th century.

There is also some evidence of earlier occupation of the site. We’ve been digging at the Cottage for a number of years. This is likely to be our last year at this site and a last opportunity to take part in the dig.

The site is ideal for people new to archaeology. Training and tools are provided. For those who would like to get involved but prefer not to dig there is plenty of recording, surveying and finds processing to do. We will be digging most Tuesdays from 10am to 3.30pm until October. This year we intending to hold some weekend digs provided that there is sufficient demand.

For more information or to register an interest in weekend digs then contact Robert Huddart by email at: robert.huddart@ntlworld.com 

Regards from Robert

Each Tuesday this summer we have had 4 or 5 people attending our archaeological investigation of the old Millers Cottage in Hopwood Woods. The dig is managed by our site director Robert Huddart who organises similar activity for the Bury Archaeological Group on Wednesdays. This is his latest update on the project.

Hopwood Millers Cottage

This is the third season of excavation at Hopwood Millers Cottage. In 2015 and 2016 we uncovered the western and central parts of the 18^th century building On the north side of the cottage we found garden features and a pathway leading to a footbridge, The footbridge crossed the Trub brook enabling access to a spring on the north bank. The garden features, path and bridge date to the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

This season we are  excavating the eastern end of the site. The north-eastern corner of the cottage has been located enabling us to determine the size of the cottage. The building measured about 15 metres east-west by 4.5 metres north south. The ground floor consisted of two living rooms with internal measurements of approximately 4 metres by 4 metres. These rooms are seperated from each other by a lobby area 3 metres wide. A brick built extension on the south side of the building is thought to be the kitchen area.

At the east end of the building we have started to uncover a much smaller room about 2.5 metres wide.  A path with steps runs along the eastern gable of the cottage. More evidence of the drainage system has been revealed. Excavation continues to investigate an area of cobbles at the north side of the building which predates the cottage.

A recent extension of the trench has revealed the south-east corner of the cottage, the well built foundation of the south wall and the less well made continuation of the east gable. In the small room at the east end of the building another fireplace is being investigated. This is positioned centrally against the internal wall and is the third fireplace to be found at the cottage

The dig will continue until around the end of October. 

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MAS Weekend Excavation at Hopwood Millers Cottage Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August 2016.

The Millers House dates to the 18thcentury. Last year we opened a trench at the western end of the building and found the well preserved remains of room complete with fireplace. On the north side of the building a path from the front door leads to a footbridge which had crossed the Trub Brook to the front door of the cottage. There were also garden features including a cobbled terrace with brick edging. Towards the end of the dig a small area of cobbling was discovered which suggest the possibility of an even earlier building on the site.
This year we are looking at the central section of the cottage and have already started to find more walls and surfaces.

The dig will run 10 am until 3.30 pm each day. Everyone is welcome. No previous experience is necessary and training is provided on site. If you would like to take part and do not want to dig then there are plenty of other ways in which you can contribute to the excavation including recording, surveying and small finds processing.
This year we are asking volunteers to register for the dig. There is no charge but if you wish to take part please register by Wednesday 3rd August by emailing
chairman.mas@live.co.uk or phoning Cliff on 07740 351814.