Ince Manor

Ince Manor is a monastic grange in Cheshire with medieval stone buildings that survive from monastic times, now standing as a Grade I listed structure. The complex features the remains of a stone-built hall with surrounding earthwork defenses, all part of a planned estate layout.

The estate belonged to St Werburgh's Abbey in Chester from medieval times and received fortification licenses in 1399 and 1410. It operated as the abbey's agricultural property and farming center throughout the late Middle Ages.

The manor was a working center for the abbey's farming operations and reveals how religious communities managed their rural estates. The remaining walls show the practical design of structures built to support the monastery's livelihood.

The site is an outdoor archaeological location where you can walk around and view the surviving stone remains and earthwork features. Wear comfortable footwear since the ground is uneven and parts of the site sit in open fields.

The complex served as a lodging place for high-ranking visitors during the medieval period, suggesting it held importance beyond mere farming operations. Its stone defenses and layout made it a secure residence suitable for notable guests.