SDO10612 - King's Arms Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief Report

'Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Orchard Homes and Developments Ltd (the Client) to undertake an archaeological evaluation and watching brief on land to the rear of the King's Arms Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset (the Site), located at NGR 415993 092765. The Written Scheme of Investigation allowed for the excavation of a single evaluation trench c.14 m in length in an area previously inaccessible to archaeological investigation. Although no significant archaeological remains were found during the previous evaluation (Wessex ref. 59751) concerns raised by the Christchurch Antiquarians led to a cautionary watching brief condition being attached to planning permission. Due to the lack of discoveries on Site and the poor ground conditions the Watching Brief was discontinued and no further evaluation trenches were excavated. Archaeological features present in the evaluation trench dated to the late post-medieval and modern periods, confirming the results of the earlier evaluation. The evaluation trench also recorded the edge of the river channel postulated following the results achieved from the previous evaluation. Monitoring of the foundation trenches, the watching brief, recorded severely truncated sections of the site and made ground deposits, again confirming the results of the previous evaluation. Monitoring of the foundation trenches also showed the edge of the river channel dipping down to the east. The results of this, the second, phase of archaeological monitoring confirms that the Site had been severely disturbed by levelling, specifically ground raise within the Site, and the canalisation of the river, now known as the Mill Stream. The southern end, and supposed medieval street frontage, of the Site had been severely truncated by the insertion of modern services and alteration/extension to the original hotel building. The observations and results of the latest archaeological intervention on the King's Arms Hotel found no evidence for either Saxon or Medieval activity on the Site.'