Surrey Archaeological Society

A watching brief was maintained on the redevelopment of this former school site by R Poulton and S Hind of SCAU, for McCarthy & Stone Ltd. The site was found to have been extensively disturbed, probably during the construction of the school, and no features or finds of archaeological interest were recorded. (321)

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU, for Bellway Homes, of the former hospital site, in advance of redevelopment. The evaluation produced no features or finds of archaeological interest. (314)

Excavation by M Russell, for the BSAG, continued on the site of Bletchingley Place. A series of substantial greensand and brick foundations, robber trenches and deep post holes associated with the west range of the house built sometime before 1521 by Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was identified; the features could not be securely dated, but a late 15th century date seems likely. In the early 16th century additions and alterations were made, entirely in brick, including the blocking of a large entrance in order to build a small room with a chimney.

A watching brief by M Saaler of BSAG on works for a new garage to the rear of this property revealed no archaeological features, but a range of pottery dating from the 14th century onwards was recovered.

A watching brief was carried out by N Hembrey of SCAU, for Mr Tunstall & Dr Butler, on service trenching at this cottage, which lies adjacent to Bletchingley Castle. No features or finds of archaeological interest were noted.

Fieldwalking by the BSAG of an area where cropmarks have been identified on aerial photos. Numerous pieces of worked flint were recovered, as well as some burnt flint. Apart from a couple of pieces of Roman pottery, the bulk of the pottery recovered was medieval (late 12th/early 13th) and post-medieval. A resistivity survey was also carried out, that confirmed the presence of a number of features.

A resistivity survey of the site of the probable Roman bath house was carried out by M Davies and C Hasler of SyAS and followed by the excavation of a number of trial pits. The work confirmed the presence of the bath house and that the 19th century plan of the building was rather simplified; no trace of further buildings were found.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, for the Hawthorns School, in advance of the construction of new sports and teaching blocks. The only feature of some interest identified was the robber trench for a former garden or courtyard wall, probably of 18th or 19th century date. (314)

Evaluation was carried out by S Stevens of ASE, for Rushmon Ltd, in advance of new building in the grounds of Nutfield Court, which lies adjacent to St Peter & St Paul’s church. No archaeological features or finds were found although the site appeared relatively undisturbed.