Salt in Cheshire

Rock salt was laid down in this region some 220 million years ago, during the Triassic period.

Seawater moved inland from an open sea, creating a chain of shallow salt marshes across what is today the Cheshire Basin.

A settlement, Condate, was built during Roman times at the current location of Northwich.

It is believed that the Romans built this settlement due to the strategic river crossing of the Weaver and the presence of the brine springs.

The salt beds beneath Northwich were re-discovered in the 1670 by employees of the local Smith-Barry family.

Salt making is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and by the 13th century there were approximately 100 "wich houses" packed around the town's two brine pits.

A new source was discovered in Winsford, leading to the development of a salt industry along the course of the River Weaver, where many factories were established.

Most of the early development took place on the other side of the river, with new housing, shops, pubs, chapels and a new church being built in the former hamlet of Wharton.