Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU revealed footings and drains of a Victorian or Edwardian house that once existed on the site, but no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Excavation by D Bird of SCC in the garden of Vine Cottage to test the results of geophysical survey undertaken by A and D Graham of SyAS and locate a buried stone wall reportedly found in 1832; this was thought possibly to be the chapel mentioned in medieval documents, associated with Sutton manor. A recorded anomaly was found to be a recent garden path and no medieval finds were made. This accords with the results of the excavations of 1978–86, in that there is very little evidence to suggest medieval activity near Vine Cottage (381)

Archaeological assessment by N Bannister for the Woodlands Trust revealed that wood banks are the predominant archaeological feature. These are likely to be at least medieval and probably date from when the woods were enclosed to prevent stock grazing. The woods were once much larger, and reduced earthworks on the western side suggests that subsequent fields or assarts were created by clearing areas of the woodland. Ditches of 19th century date, dug to aid drainage in the woods, and evidence of Second World War military activity in the form of slit trenches, were also discovered.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU in advance of residential redevelopment revealed some evidence relating to the use of the site for agricultural activities in the 18th and 19th centuries, but no evidence of activity associated with the moated site of Burstow Manor.

Watching brief carried out by B Davis of WA during conversion works revealed evidence for the 19th century decorated tiled floor within the former milking parlour.

Historic building investigation by J Phimester of OA prior to modernisation of the weir structure revealed that parts dating from the original construction in 1887 still exist, although they have been subject to some modification.

Evaluation by H Clough of PCA in advance of the construction of a workshop extension revealed two ditches of probable Bronze Age origin, a palaeochannel which may be prehistoric, medieval agricultural features, a late 18th or early 19th century wall, and residual burnt and worked flint, abraded Roman pottery and a piece of unabraded Saxo-Norman pottery. Subsequent monitoring of two geotechnical test pits within the proposed footprint of the workshop revealed only modern deposits.

Evaluation by H Moore of TVAS prior to the construction of an extension revealed that the site had been extensively truncated down to the natural geology, apparently during the 19th century.

Evaluation and watching brief by D Jamieson of MoLAS prior to redevelopment. A limited number of late post-medieval (19th century) features were revealed, including what appeared to be the heavily truncated remains of a blacksmith’s workshop that formerly stood on the site. Most of the area had however been severely damaged by the construction of the supermarket, which had occupied the site until its recent demolition.