Evaluation by P Copeland of McCurdy & Co prior to redevelopment within the Scheduled area of Guildford Castle. Evidence for extensive post-medieval modification was revealed, although only residual medieval pottery indicated earlier activity, in an investigation that ceased at the formation levels of the proposed development. It was thought likely that earlier remains lay deeper in the sequence, but these were not revealed.

Evaluation by S Holden of PCA revealed a single feature containing no datable material, and two parallel brick-built walls dated to the late 18th/early 19th centuries, which are likely to correspond to a building shown on the 1870 OS map. Evidence of prehistoric activity, in the form of possible struck flint and pieces of burnt flint, together with sherds of prehistoric, possibly Iron Age, pottery, was found residually across the site with artefacts of medieval and post-medieval date.

Topographic survey by R Hooker of SyAS revealed evidence for ridge and furrow and possible field boundaries. (388)

Evaluation by Time Team involving excavation and geophysical survey in the grounds of Wayneflete Tower and neighbouring properties. Wayneflete Tower, built by Bishop William of Wayneflete as a gatehouse, is the last remaining standing structure associated with the palace of the Bishops of Winchester that once existed here.

Evaluation by J English and D Taylor of SyAS on the site of a former cottage and suspected trackway in the form of a linear earthwork. A demolition deposit relating to the cottage was found to contain roof and floor tiles, brick and pottery dating from the late medieval period to the 20th century. Examination of the earthwork revealed only compacted soils, although a number of undiagnostic flint flakes were recovered.

Excavation by S Smith as part of research for a television documentary series entitled ‘Tywysogion’ on the Welsh princes c 900–1420. Documentary research indicated that Tatsfield was in the possession of Rhodri ap Gruffudd – brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Prince of Wales until his death in 1282) – and his descendants during the 14th century. The work consisted of the excavation of a number of test pits on possible earthworks, identified from aerial photograph and field survey observations, suggested as the remains of the medieval manor house of Tatsfield.

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.

Fieldwalking by M Saaler revealed medieval pottery and roof tile, post-medieval pottery, and First World War munitions.

Continuing excavation by G Hayman of SCAU revealed further features of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman date, as well as some of early medieval origin. Most features dated to the Bronze Age, and included ditches, waterholes, and numerous small pits and postholes. An area of concentration of pits and postholes is likely to have once been a Middle Bronze Age settlement, although no dwellings were recognised, and only one four-posted structure was identified.

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.