Surrey Archaeological Society

A watching brief by T Munnery of SCAU, following the evaluation of the site in 1996 that revealed possible medieval features, did not reveal any further finds or features of archaeological interest.

Historic building recording by S Lilley of AOC prior to conversion. The structure was recorded and assessed as dating to the mid-17th century, although the presence of a medieval down brace suggests re-use of materials from an earlier structure. Evidence for a substantial fire within the structure at some point in its history was also catalogued.

Evaluation by C Clarke of AOC indicated that the archaeological horizons in those areas tested had in the main avoided groundworks associated with the modern development of the site, but the evaluation did not identify any deposits of significance, with a small shallow pit of post-medieval date being the only feature revealed.

Monitoring and recording by J McNicoll-Norbury of TVAS during soil stripping for a quarry extension. A number of small pits, three of which were Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age in date, and a (probable boundary) ditch tentatively dated to the Middle or Late Bronze Age, were revealed and excavated. The pits are considered to represent one or more occupation site(s), and analysis of environmental deposits within one of the datable pits revealed that it was located in a landscape of rough grassland with some scrub.

Rapid walkover by Mouchel Heritage along the 28km route of a proposed replacement pipeline between Godstone and Tonbridge in Kent, undertaken to contribute to the assessment of the archaeological implications of the proposed pipeline. Monitoring of test pits by M Collings to examine the impact caused by the laying of the existing pipeline revealed that it is likely there was minimal impact outside the cut of the pipe trench.

Evaluation by J Perry of SutAS revealed fragments of burnt flint and possible struck flint within the subsoil, but no features of archaeological interest.

Excavation by P Jones of SCAU adjacent to areas previously investigated revealed evidence of activity spanning the early prehistoric to medieval periods. The earliest purposely dug feature was a large and deep banana-shaped pit that contained over 3000 struck flints of wholly Mesolithic date. Evidence of Bronze Age activity revealed across the site was of long duration, although probably episodic.

Watching brief by S Hind and R Poulton of SCAU between 2006 and 2009 during the redevelopment of the barn. There was extensive evidence of post-medieval disturbance, much of it relatively modern in date, but a small amount of prehistoric material, including Mesolithic flintwork and Bronze Age pottery, was recovered. However, the principal interest of the site related to the fact that Place Farm is an 18th century building formed on the manorial complex of Bletchingley Place.

Evaluation by D Milbank of TVAS in advance of the creation of a pond, recovered a sherd of medieval or possibly Roman pottery from subsoil, but did not reveal any features of archaeological interest.