Surrey Archaeological Society

Excavation by the Friends of Nonsuch Society in the stable block, led to the discovery of stone foundations thought to contain re-used stone from the demolished Nonsuch Palace. Stucco from the palace’s exterior decorative scheme was also recovered.

Watching brief by R Bashford of OAU in advance of residential redevelopment revealed that any archaeology on the site had been destroyed by the construction of the Jolly Waggoners.

Evaluation by S Anthony of TVAS in advance of residential redevelopment revealed only modern features, a few scattered struck flints of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, and a tiny piece of abraded, unidentifiable pottery.

Evaluation by E Hindmarch of TVAS revealed that the site had been substantially disturbed. Two gullies/ditches and a posthole were recovered from trenches in the north-east of the site. Nothing was recovered to date the posthole, but the linear features produced 11th--12th century pottery, as well as some poorly preserved animal bone. The finds and features may indicate the presence of habitation close by.

Evaluation by J Nowell of WA in advance of residential development revealed only a residual barbed-and-tanged arrowhead of Early Bronze Age date, and a series of 20th century postholes probably associated with the former racecourse. No evidence was found of the neighbouring multi-period occupation site at Hurst Park West excavated by WA in 1994. Evidence of past flooding was recorded through identification of alluvial clays and silts, and as the site lies 1.25m below Hurst Park West, it would have been much more prone to flooding and consequently less attractive for occupation and settlement.

Evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Watching brief by N Shaikhley of SCAU of a stretch of pipe laying revealed that much of the route had been heavily disturbed by 19th or early 20th century activities.

Evaluation by M Dover of SCAU in advance of expansion of the school facilities revealed that the site had been extensively landscaped. A sherd of post-medieval pottery was recovered from a layer overlying a single course of possibly Tudor bricks. The subsequent watching brief by N Shaikhley did not find any further evidence relating to the brick feature, but did identify a well. A large part of the well appeared to be lined with chalk blocks, except for the upper courses, which were of red brick.

Evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU, in advance of the constuction of a very sheltered accommodation block, involved the excavation of two trial trenches, one of which revealed a shallow ditch. The ditch produced no datable finds but, as it lay well below the topsoil, it does not appear to be of modern origin.

Evaluation by E Hindmarch of TVAS revealed various levels of truncation and no evidence of archaeological activity.