SDO12447 - Kingston Maurward College. Archaeological Field Evaluation Report.

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Chesterton plc on behalf of Kingston Maurward College to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land at Kingston Maurward Park, Stinsford, Dorset, centred on NGR 37130 09110 (Figure 1), hereafter referred to as the Site. It was believed that a Roman road ran across the Site towards the Roman town now beneath modern Dorchester, however, no trace of this was found. The Old Manor House was built in the late 16th century to the east of the Site. George Pitt built the new house at Kingston Maurward, the present mansion to the west of the Site, between 1717-20 on a much more commanding site than the old manor house. The house was sited to give views of the large park running up the combe to the north, and to have the basin of water (presumably a smaller lake) and other small lakes (canals) to the south. Dorset County Council purchased Kingston Maurward in 1947 for conversion to an Agricultural College. By 1956 some development had taken place within and around the Site that lies between the Old Manor House and the present Mansion. A road had been built along the northern boundary of the field and sewage works were built within the northern half of the Site. The gardens were incorporated into English Heritage's Register of Historic Gardens in the late 1980's early 1990's as Grade II (reference number G920). The evidence indicates that the potential for surviving remains, dating to before the post-medieval period, on the majority of the Site is considered to be low.