Surrey Archaeological Society

Excavation and watching brief by W Weller of SCAU following a trial trench evaluation (SyAC 99, 228) adjacent to the Scheduled Roman villa (SM no 12849) revealed a number of flint-packed postholes, some smaller pits or postholes and an east–west ditch , all of which were of Romano-British date. The position and characteristics of a number of the postholes indicated that they were contemporary and may have formed the ground plan of a timber-framed building of unknown function. The ditch probably relates to a division between the domestic and working areas of the villa complex.

Historic building recording by K Butler of CBAS on one of two 17th/18th century Grade II-listed barns prior to alteration to convert it to residential use.

Evaluation by A Hood of FA revealed no finds or features of archaeological significance.

Evaluation by P Kehoe of AOC across the north of the site revealed the area to be truncated by modern services with no archaeological finds or features present.

Watching brief by I Hogg of ASE during the excavation of a service trench adjacent to the Roman road Stane Street, including a directional borehole beneath it and the removal of some of the protective surface covering the Roman road. Natural chalk deposits were recorded in one borehole entry pit and the service trench. Across much of the area, the natural deposits were directly overlain by topsoil; in one entry pit modern made-ground was overlain by topsoil. No archaeological remains were encountered during the monitoring and no disturbance to Stane Street was recorded.

Evaluation by J Whelan of COT produced topsoil finds of residual prehistoric struck flints, a few sherds of grass-tempered Saxon pottery from below the subsoil and a ditch of post-medieval date.

Watching brief by M Saywood of SCAU on the foundation trenches of an extension revealed only natural geology and no features or finds of archaeological significance.

Evaluation by I Hogg of ASE revealed a post-medieval ditch and three small pits indicative of agricultural and domestic activity. The ditch contained a residual fragment of Roman tile.

A second season of excavation by L Spencer of SyAS on the postulated site of Bookham Courte revealed more of the demolition layer uncovered in 2014 (SyAC 99, 224) from which medieval pottery dated to 1250 to 1500 was recovered. Beneath the demolition rubble, a succession of largely sterile deposits overlay a chalk surface. A line of one or two courses of large flat-topped chalk blocks was revealed in the west of the site though, given its narrow width, it was unclear whether this constituted a wall foundation.

Evaluation by N Randall of SCAU on the first of three phases of development revealed only a single linear feature of indeterminate, although probably modern, date.