326 OPENING OF AN ANCIENT BARROW 
“sides and summit of the barrow are covered with 
‘“‘ venerable oaks, which, to all appearance, have 
‘“‘ weathered the rude and wintry blasts of centuries. 
“‘It is a spot well adapted for the repose of the 
‘‘ashes of the mighty dead.” 
The streams which unite, at this barrow, are 
the Dene and the Sankey. 
BRITISH ROAD. 
This barrow seems to stand near the old British 
road, from the town of Haydock to the town of 
Lowton, both of which were probably British 
towns. This road runs from the town of Haydock, 
past Hall-meadow, down the Townfield lane; and, 
crossing the Wigan turnpike road, near Newton, 
it points to Castle hill, and the town of Lowton. 
The Townfield lane is six feet below the level of 
the adjoining ground, and is properly a British 
Covered Way; and, it is found, that, where the 
Roman road from Warrington to Wigan, crosses 
this old Lane, it slopes down to it on both sides ; 
thus plainly showing that the Townfield lane was 
made before the Roman road. The British road 
seems to have crossed the Sankey, close to Castle 
hill, where two piers have been erected for a 
bridge. 
