SWX8286 - Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation

This report provides the detailed results of an archaeological field evaluation of land to the south-east of Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Dorset (centred on SY 8565 8200). The evaluation was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology during the period 13-16 May 1997. It was commissioned by P D B Thompson, Architects, on behalf of Lulworth Leisure Limited, to assess the archaeological potential of land forming the site of a proposed car park development. An earlier desk-based assessment of archaeological potential had been commissioned by P D B Thompson, Architects, on behalf of the Weld Estate. This was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology in August 1996, and the results subsequently presented in an unpublished client report (Wessex Archaeology 1996). Three evaluation trenches located in the northern part of the development area all contained features and deposits of post-Medieval date. A well defined ditch aligned north/south was recorded in two of the trenches. This ditch is represented on the surface by a noticeable linear hollow at the base of an earthwork terrace which slopes down to the west. An earlier ditch was recorded, which was subsequently re-cut for the installation of a ceramic field drain. In the third trench a series of well constructed wall footings orientated north north-east/south-south-west was recorded, mainly in the west end of the trench. Associated with these footings were remnants of mortared floors and later rubble deposits. Areas of mortar still present on the upper surfaces of the foundations indicate brick superstructures. Also associated with the walls were extensive bedding or levelling deposits of fine sand and chalk. The structures and floors have all been truncated, leaving these features lying just below the topsoil. In the eastern end of Trench 3, a series of surfaces comprised mainly of brick fragments would seem to indicate a yard surface in this area, subsequently truncated to the north by a more well-preserved cobbled surface. The cobbling may well represent a cutting and resurfacing episode of the estate road which currently lies adjacent to the trench. Also at the east end of Trench 3 was a wall foundation constructed predominantly of limestone. It was orientated east/west and probably represents an estate boundary wall bordering the old east-west village road. A possible turn to the north at the west end of this wall may indicate the earlier presence of an east gate to this part of the estate, pre-dating the present entrance. A curvilinear ditch at the eastern end of Trench 3 was earlier than all of the structures noted in this part of the trench and probably represents a ditch pre dating the boundary wall.