Surrey Archaeological Society

Fieldwalking by M Saaler revealed medieval pottery and roof tile, post-medieval pottery, and First World War munitions.

Monitoring by J Perry of SutAS during stripping of the site in advance of residential redevelopment revealed only modern truncation.

Archaeological interpretative survey by D Martin of ASE of the cottage prior to alteration identified that all that remained of the probable original structure was the chimney stack. If re-used timbers within the first floor ceilings are an indicator, then the original date of the structure is unlikely to have been earlier than c 1700. During the second half of the 18th century, the earlier cottage was demolished apart from its chimney, and replaced by the current structure.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU in advance of residential redevelopment revealed some evidence relating to the use of the site for agricultural activities in the 18th and 19th centuries, but no evidence of activity associated with the moated site of Burstow Manor.

Watching brief carried out by B Davis of WA during conversion works revealed evidence for the 19th century decorated tiled floor within the former milking parlour.

Evaluation by I Howell of MoLAS prior to residential development revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Report by Babtie Brown & Root, on observation during modernisation works to the structure, recorded earlier phases of weir construction represented by timber and metal sheet piles

Continuing excavation by G Hayman of SCAU revealed further features of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman date, as well as some of early medieval origin. Most features dated to the Bronze Age, and included ditches, waterholes, and numerous small pits and postholes. An area of concentration of pits and postholes is likely to have once been a Middle Bronze Age settlement, although no dwellings were recognised, and only one four-posted structure was identified.

Watching brief by S Cass of TVAS during the excavation of cable trenches revealed no finds or features of archaeological interest.

Evaluation by J Butler of PCA in advance of the construction of a new parsonage discovered a well dated to between AD 1700 and 1800, and a further well or soakaway in the grounds of the St Nicholas Church Centre. No other finds or features were revealed, possibly due to the removal of archaeological horizons during the erection of a (now demolished) structure on the site in the early 19th century, and additional landscaping of the church and rectory grounds.