Watching brief by Archaeological Solutions Ltd on land at Old Hall Kennels, Green Lane, Mistley, 2017 - EEX60656

Archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken during the groundworks for a menage in the grounds of Old Hall Kennels. No archaeological features or finds were present. In December 2016 AS carried out archaeological trial trench evaluation and archaeological monitoring and recording at Old Hall Kennels, Green Lane, Mistley, Essex). The evaluation and monitoring was carried out in compliance with a planning appeal condition attached to planning permission for external hard and soft landscaping, revision of previously approved storage building and swimming pool, addition of an equestrian arena and stables, tennis court and associated fencing and works to existing entrance. The site is within the area of a historic manorial site recorded at Domesday (EHER 3206), and 16th century sale documents for the manor also record a chapel, while the early and late 18th century saw substantial campaigns of work at the estate. The main hall was demolished after 1844 but the existing buildings at the site are listed as 18th century. Only Trench 1 contained features. The longest trench (3) and Trench 2 contained no archaeological features or finds. The features in Trench 1 comprised pits of varying sizes, gullies and a ditch, and they contained post-medieval (17th - 18th century) CBM. The archaeological monitoring and recording revealed no archaeological features or finds in the area of the manege. A modern pit and a red brick wall foundation were recorded in the area of the new pool. The fabric of the wall was consistent with a 17th or 18th century date and may relate to kitchen garden structures of the early 18th century, or one part of an outbuilding demolished prior to 1875. Information from OASIS Online Form.