Farnham Park, Farnham

A landscape survey, including some limited trial trenching, was carried out by D Graham for Waverley Borough Council, as part of a programme designed to assisst with the management of the park. The initial ground survey recorded the remains of open field systems in the form of ridge and furrow strips of probable medieval date, including one apparently overlain by the park’s boundary, established in 1376-77. Evidence for industrial activity was seen in the form of small clay diggings, some of which were close to the site of a previously discovered medieval tile kiln. In addition, a number of quarries that were thought to be of relatively modern date were found to be earlier in date then the field systems nearby; they may relate to the construction of Farnham Castle. Seven trial trenches were excavated, partly in an attempt to identify the medieval park pale and also examine some of the features located during the landscape survey. A number of flints were recovered from the easternmost trench although no prehistoric features were noted. A single Iron Age gold coin was recovered in the north-east of the park, almost certainly an addition to the coin hoard found in the same location in the early 1980s. The park boundary was found to consist of a probable medieval ditch, with the modern fence line directly above. A metalled surface of likely 17th century date was found, possibly forming part of the Parliamentarian supply base known to have existed in the area during the Civil War. A 19th century icehouse was also found, as well as a well-preserved WWII Spigot Mortar Pit and the remains of a large air-raid shelter. (322)

Year: 
1997-99
ID: 
1115
NGR: 
SU842481
Report location: 
SyAS
Borough: