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The Cheshire County Historic Environment Record (CHER - Formerly known as the Sites and Monuments Record) is the record of all known archaeological sites and historic landscapes in Cheshire. It includes sites dating from prehistory through to the military remains of the more recent past.

The CHER contains information on buried sites, revealed through excavation and survey or through aerial photography. It also contains records of earthworks, listed buildings and other standing structures, as well as stray finds, historic parks and gardens, battlefields and information on Historic Landscape Character.

Details such as the type of site, its date, location, description and sources are held on a computerised database and linked geographical information system. Additional information may include reports on surveys or excavations, correspondence, plans, published and unpublished material and photographs (including aerial photographs). The level of information and accuracy varies between records, depending on the available sources. Some sites are known only from 19th century or earlier chance discoveries and their exact location may be vague. Others are based on modern excavations or surveys which can produce much more detailed information.

The CHER is continually updated. Information on new sites and finds and additional details about existing sites are provided by professional archaeologists, museums, local researchers and projects grant-aided by the County Council or English Heritage. The significance of an archaeological site or historic building can therefore change as new information leads to its re-interpretation. In addition the CHER is reviewed in line with national data standards and developments in new technology.

The County Historic Environment Record  is used by :-

• Planners for forward planning and development control
• Consultants for information on the archaeological impact of development proposals
• Statutory agencies such as the Forestry Commission and Public Utilities for information on the archaeological impact of proposed works
• Archaeological contractors before and during fieldwork
• National bodies such as English Heritage as a source of information for national surveys
• The local community, teachers and students for research, education, leisure and tourism
• Information from archaeological work carried out in the county, such as national surveys, developer-funded fieldwork or private research, is fed back into the CHER.

How to consult the County Historic Environment Record

An online version of the CHER database has been made available through our Heritage Lottery Funded project Revealing Cheshire’s Past. You can use the database to search for information about particular sites or finds. New information and images will continue to be included, however some categories of data have still to be added, so please be aware that this is not a definitive list and represents only a subset of the information held by the CHER. Therefore it is not suitable for development control purposes, the development of management policies, or for the preparation of agri-environment applications. Consultants requiring information for such purposes should contact the HER directly. Revealing Cheshire's Past  is also available via the People's Network PC's at libraries in Cheshire.

You can also consult us direct: Please contact Rob Edwards, Historic Environment Record Officer, giving details of the nature and purpose of your enquiry. You will be asked to sign a Conditions of Use form. Information is free to private researchers, but there is a charge for commercial enquiries.