Mesolithic

The last Ice Age left this area of the county with a wide flood plain (1-1.5km) and a long gently sloping valley that ran right down on to it. The width of the flood plain allowed the river to spread in a series of inter-linked channels across its surface.

This produced a series of shallow river courses that could easily be forded. In this period people lived as what we now call ‘hunter gatherers’, following the food supply across the countryside.

The area around Chester Farm, adjacent to this wide flood plain criss-crossed by shallow water courses, would have been attractive to both birds and fish. As a result it would have been attractive for hunters. Numerous small flints dating from this period have been recovered on site, proving the presence of these hunters camped beside the river and along the valley. ​