Surrey Archaeological Society

Report received from S Dyer on various work carried out at the palace, for Woking Borough Council, between 1995 and 1998. A detailed topographic survey of the palace site was conducted and a number of building platforms revealed. Resistivity survey produced a number of anomalies, the most prominent and numerous of which represent buried wall footings, or robber trenches. These are located on the eastern half on the site, the western half having been given over to gardens.

Evaluation by J Perry of SAS, for Nayeem Homes, in advance of residential development of the site. Neither of the two trial trenches excavated revealed any signs of occupation earlier than the 18th century, and the virtual absence of domestic rubbish suggests that the site was not occupied until this date.

A watching brief maintained by R Poulton of SCAU, for the Diocese of Guildford, did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, for Lacey Simmons, prior to residential development, revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest. The site had not been previously disturbed, but was found to prone to waterlogging.

Watching brief carried out by E Whitbourn during construction of an extension did not reveal any features or finds of archaeological interest.

Watching brief carried out by E Whitbourn during construction work on two houses and garages did not reveal any features of archaeological interest. Amongst the assorted 19th century finds recovered, a metal object thought initially to be an explosive but later identified as a round steel ball, was destroyed by the Army Bomb Disposal Squad.

Watching brief carried out by E Whitbourn during the construction of an extension did not reveal any finds or features of archaeological interest.

Watching brief carried out by E Whitbourn during conversion of this building revealed a substantial cellar, probably of mid 19th century date.

Evaluation by B Matthews of OAU, for Care UK Community Partnership, of a redevelopment site on the edge of the town centre. A probable garden soil, containing 19th century pottery, sealed the natural. The only earlier evidence were two areas of disturbance in the natural, interpreted as tree root holes, one of which contained a sherd of probably 16th century Border Ware.

Observation by E Whitbourn of material revealed during gardening by owner of the property. The deposits consisted largely of early 20th century glass bottles and a layer of calcium, possibly associated with gas cylinder production on the site in the early part of the century.