An archaeological dig at Quarry Bank Mill later this month aims to reveal and record the remains of a long since demolished building.

The Upper Garden at Quarry Bank was the original kitchen garden for the Greg family who founded the Mill and lived at Quarry Bank House. Like any kitchen garden it fulfilled an essential function – to supply fruit, flowers and vegetables for the family and the estate throughout the year.

Jamie Lund, the National Trust’s archaeologist, will be leading a dig to try and uncover the remains of the heated glasshouse that was used for growing melons.

“Ingenious systems were developed by the gardeners to allow production of fruit to continue even in the winter months” says Jamie. “This was achieved by ‘forcing’ produce under glass, or heating it using warm air of hot water systems”.

“The survey and excavation work to find the lost Melon House will be undertaken by a team of volunteers from local archaeological societies and our Styal Estate volunteer gardeners” continues Jamie. “ I’ll be training them with support from a small team of professional archaeologists from Oxford Archaeology North”

Meanwhile, budding young archaeologists can handle finds from the excavation, have a go at a geophysical survey, and take part in various family activities, including a mock archaeological excavation. Admission to the dig is included in the price of a garden ticket (free to National Trust members). Sessions run daily at 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and last for around 45 minutes.

Quarry Bank Mill ,Gardens and Styal Estate are open daily, 11am – 5pm. For details of events including other British Festival of Archaeology events at National Trust places, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.