EDO5916 - Sherborne House, Newland, Sherborne; excavation 2011

A programme of archaeological works was carried out on behalf of Redcliffe Homes LTD as a condition of planning consent. Based on information from previous evaluations, an open area excavation was carried out in the northern part of the gardens over an area of 565 square metres, and trial trenching, monitoring and recording during work in the southern area. Four trenches were eventually dug in the latter area. All excavation was carried out by JCB type wheeled machine with toothless bucket. The works revealed medieval and modern pits, and linear features as well as features and deposits relating to the formal gardens of Sherborne House dating from 1720. Two possible medieval features were identified: a stone surface interpreted as the remains of a road or pathway, and an adjacent wall. Medieval roofing material, including glazed ridge tiles, found across the site indicated the existence of substantial buildings on or near the site. Together with the recovery of residual medieval pottery of possible 12th- or 13th-century date, this provides evidence for the presence of medieval settlement activity along the Cold Harbour street frontage. The other features and deposits were post-medieval with some more precisely dating to the 17th or 18th century including a robber trench, two flower beds, three pits (two of which were for rubbish), a path, and two areas of disturbance. Deposits included an assemblage of late 17th/18th century clay pipes and glass. A number of other features could not be definitively dated as post-18th century and therefore may also pre-date Sherborne House. This would seem particularly likely for a wall and associated floor and a number of pits. The work confirmed the findings of the evaluation which largely recorded features thought to relate to the formal landscape gardens and grounds, including a stone built subterranean structure reflecting the alignment of the medieval burgage plots also preserved in the post medieval boundaries. The date and purpose of this structure was unclear, though it was thought probably to be for storage. Some of the features are present on a map of 1887, and the garden design had previously been more elaborate. None of the finds were deemed to reflect the high status consumption patterns that would be expected from Sherborne House.