Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by A Gollop of PCA of a site proposed for residential development, for Crest Homes, revealed a ploughsoil below modern makeup levels. The ploughsoil contained a couple of sherds of medieval pottery and may represent agricultural activity on the site from the medieval period onwards. No earlier archaeological features or finds were revealed.

Evaluation by G Hayman of SCAU, for Pioneer Concrete Holdings PLC, of land proposed for a service station, revealed no features of archaeological interest and one retouched flint flake. The peaty nature of the soil suggests the area may have been unattractive for use because it was prone to waterlogging.

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU followed a geophysical survey by the Bartlett-Clark Consultancy, which had revealed a number of anomalies; both pieces of work were carried out for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, who want additional information with which to interpret the palace site. Walls between the Privy Garden and the Wilderness were revealed, as were walls between the Orchard, the Wilderness and the Plain. A pit containing 12th-13th century pottery was revealed in one trial trench, probably associated with the settlement of Cuddington, removed c.1538 when Nonsuch Palace was built.

Examination of a series of tunnels below this road was carried out by members of Subterranea Britannica, at the request of SCC’s County Roads Group. The tunnels are almost certainly service tunnels associated with the now demolished Ewell House and probably date to the late 17th or early 18th centuries. Some of the tunnels are lined with brick, others are just left as the sandstone they have been cut through. Later modification included ornamentation of some of the tunnels and use as a WWII air-raid shelter.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, for Homebase Ltd, of an area of this redevelopment site that appeared to have been unaffected by chalk quarrying, found this not to be the case; a quite considerable depth of made ground was revealed above natural chalk. (321)

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU, for NESCOT, of areas for new buildings adjacent to the college. The trial trenching revealed a gully containing numerous pieces of worked flint; a second gully-like feature identified may be of natural origin. A subsequent watching brief on the development recorded a continuation of the prehistoric gully, which produced further flint, and a second feature from which no finds were retrieved. (321)

A watching brief was carried out by J Robertson of SCAU, for Surrey Free Inns PLC, on redevelopment of this site, within the historic centre of Epsom, for a new public house. Two wall footings, one brick relieving arch and a strip of crushed chalk, all of post-medieval date, were the only features noted. (314)

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU of land proposed for a new access road to the Town Hall and associated development, for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. The trial trenching revealed a limited number of archaeological features and finds of probable 18th century and later date, two residual pottery sherds of probable late medieval date, and a number of stray finds of struck and burnt flint. (321)

Evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU, for SCC’s Property Services Dept, on the site of the new Epsom Downs School. The area evaluated was adjacent to the 18th century, and possibly earlier, hare warren, but no evidence for past activity was revealed in any of the trial trenches. (321)

A watching brief was maintained on groundworks for the extension to the Coronation Course by R Poulton of SCAU, for the RAC Country Club. No features or finds of archaeological interest were noted. (321)