EDO4896 - Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch; desk-based assessment 2005

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Charter Consultant Architects to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at the Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset prior to June 2005. The site is the subject of a planning application for the construction of 21 town houses and appartments on land to the rear of the hotel. The site is situated within the historic core of Christchurch, whose origins lie in the Saxon period. The town developed around the castle and priory during the medieval perios and the site is located within the core Saxon and medieval settlement area. 69 archaeological sites and findspots ranging in date from prehistoric to post-medieval, including 14 listed buildings and three scheduled ancient monuments, were recorded within the study area. The land to the rear of the Kings Arms has not been the subject of significant development activity during the post-medieval period and therefore any below ground deposits have the potential for good survival. Overall there is a moderate to high potential for the presence of archaeological deposits ranging in date from the later prehistoric through to the post-medieval period. There is an emphasis on the potential for the presence of remains relating to the Saxon burh as the line of the defensive ditch has been projected to pass directly through the site on a N-S alignment.