Poulton Research Project
Contact Us
Poulton Research Project
c/o Chapel House Farm
The Green
Poulton
CH4 9EE

Students
We have run courses at Poulton for nearly 20 years now. They have been very well received and the vast majority of people who have attended would recommend them to others and come again.

Volunteers
On our volunteers' page, you will find the answer all of your questions about volunteering at Poulton. We are not asking you to simply wash pots or move spoil. Within hours of your arrival on-site we expect you to be excavating serious archaeology.
What Our Students Say
We have a very high satisfaction rating from our course attendees (the details for the latest 2013) season are here). Everyone who has attended over the last 4 years would recommend us to others and would come again.
COVID-19 Statement.
The site has now reopened and operating with covid measures in place.
All access to the site needs to be agreed in advance in order to ensure the control of numbers and appropriate social distancing is maintained.
If you are an existing volunteer wanting to come to site or interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Paul Naylor
The site will also be running fieldwork courses during August this year. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Dr Kevin Cootes for more information.
The Poulton Project – Registered Charity Number 1094552
The Poulton project was incorporated as a charity on August 7th 2002. the incorporation statement is: To further the education of the public in archaeology, history and architecture of a multi-period landscape in Chester hinterland known as The Poulton project and to promote and foster public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of archaeology generally.
History
In 1995 the Poulton Project started with an interest in developing a multi-period archaeological landscape investigation in the Chester hinterland. The hope was to find a settlement that was archaeologically rich over several periods, and set in a landscape accessible to investigation. The chapel site at Poulton more than fulfilled these needs. The history and origin of the chapel were scarcely known, yet it had a close connection with the last Cistercian Abbey of Poulton. Although the Abbey was removed in the 13th century, the Cistercians continued to dominate and shape the landscape around Poulton until dissolution in 1534. In addition to the medieval archaeology, an initial evaluation in 1995 revealed unexpected evidence for Roman and prehistoric occupation. It has since been confirmed that at least two Roman buildings exist, one of which is very substantial, producing numerous brooches, coins etc. Establishment of the nature of this occupation and of possible continuity to the medieval period remains a main research objective at the site.

Latest News
You can see some of our recent news here and also find articles written in the past but still of relevance today.
End of season summary 2015
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE 2015 EXCAVATIONS AT THE POULTON RESEARCH PROJECT, CHESHIRE The objectives of the 2015 student training season were to continue and where possible complete excavations on the two trenches from the previous year. The extant archaeology comprised...
Finds from the Roman ditch system.
Roman building material
Roman Ditch System
Students excavating an Iron Age roundhouse gulley
… a lot of archaeological techniques in a short space of time
Didn’t make us feel stupid when we didn’t know something .
Would You Like To Get Involved?
If you would like to get involved or find out more, please do get in touch with us.