Excavation and watching brief by J Leary of PCA during large-scale redevelopment. Demolition of the kitchens revealed the remains of former 18th century outbuildings, with possible Tudor antecedents, above a medieval ploughsoil. Possible prehistoric features were also observed in drainage works nearby. Works to create a haulage road revealed a pit of possible Saxon date, while the excavation of a substantial area to create an ornamental lake exposed the remains of a large palaeochannel, a prehistoric (probably Late Bronze Age) field system, and a series of curvilinear features --- possibly animal enclosures --- of medieval date. Work continues. (SyAC)