EDO5208 - Highcliffe Castle garden, Christchurch; evaluation trench 14

Wessex Archaeology conducted an archaeological evaluation during 1997 in the grounds of Highcliffe Castle. The work was in advance, and as part, of the proposed restoration of the gardens there. The aim of the evaluation was to identify the layout of woodland paths dating from at least the 19th century and to test the level of survival of the 19th century parterre. To this end fifteen hand-dug trenches excavated. The paths were identified as being constructed of gravel filling flat bottomed trenches and the layout of the main paths was established. The original parterre also survived, although possibly slightly altered by an attempt at reconstruction in the 1980's. Trench 14 measured 1.7m x 0.5m. 0.8m of leaf mould/topsoil lay above the remains of path 3. The path comprised a deposit of compact gravel in yellowy sand at least 1m wide (western edge lost in roots) (1).