Evaluation by J Perry of SutAS prior to residential development recovered no material pre-dating the 19th century.

Historic building assessment and photographic recording by A Jones of Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Co Ltd, prior to demolition and redevelopment. The work indicated that the focus for the recording, the main goods shed, was likely to have been a purpose-built structure dating from the late 19th century, and then subsequently altered. The historic information had suggested it had a mid-19th century origin as a passenger station before conversion to a goods shed, but little indication of this former use could be seen.

Phase I of a large-scale evaluation by A Ford of OA prior to the submission of a planning application for residential development. A small number of worked flints were recovered, suggestive of low-level early prehistoric activity in the general vicinity. Of more significance was evidence of a Late Iron Age to 1st century Roman settlement, with indications that an intensification of activity might have occurred towards the end of this period.

Excavation by E Sayer of PCA, undertaken in conjunction with Bournemouth University and INFORCE (International Forensic Centre of Excellence for the Investigation of Genocide) to provide training for students undertaking forensic archaeology courses. The excavation consisted of the clearance of all burials in the cemetery of the chapel, and a total of 36 burials, all dating to the 19th century, were uncovered, recorded and removed. Soil conditions meant that bone survival was poor, though by piecing together broken gravestones from around

Watching brief by R Poulton of SCAU during the construction of a new garage and additional external alterations. The deep and narrow garage foundations did not allow for detailed observations, but 19th century brick and pottery was evident. During excavations for repair to a boundary wall, a small section of chalk rubble and mortar walling was revealed. The limited area of exposure meant it was not possible to establish with confidence the orientation of the feature, although previous work in the area suggests it may be a structure related to the kitchens of the former palace.

Evaluation by A Haslam of PCA in advance of residential redevelopment revealed only a late 19th–early 20th century wood-lined pit, and substantial 19th century and later truncation.

Historic building survey of the Riding School Building, which is part of The Durdans building complex and a Grade II Listed Building, by R Martin of SIHG. Designed by George Devey for the 5th Earl of Rosebery as a place to train horses under cover, the building is a large open barn structure nine-bays long with a projecting porch at the south side and a cant bay at the east end, and is dated to 1881 by a stone in the gable end of the porch. (SIHG 139)

Historic building assessment by J Gill of OA and watching brief by J Hiller of OA during the excavations for the foundations of new stables. Material from buildings known to have existed on the site in the 19th and 20th centuries was revealed, although no finds or features of archaeological interest were noted.

Excavations by C Cowan of MoLAS prior to and during residential development. No further prehistoric remains were encountered following the 2002 evaluation. The earliest remains related to remnants of a possible medieval structure, associated with pottery dated to 1230–1400 which was recovered from the topsoil/subsoil interface. Several post-medieval garden features were encountered also, together with large amounts of pottery in the topsoil layers which fell into two categories: 17th to earlier 18th century kitchen and sanitary wares, and late 18th–19th century tablewares. Work is ongoing

Evaluation and building recording by C Currie of CKCA. No finds or features of archaeological interest were noted during the evaluation work, with the majority of the site having been terraced previously. Recording work concentrated on a locally listed barn built in the second half of the 19th century, which was found to be of an unusual type, showing influences possibly indicative of new construction methods inspired by industrial techniques rather than rural tradition