Post-medieval garden features at Parsonage Farm (EHER 81640)

A watching brief in 2014 recorded possible post-medieval to modern garden features near the moat, as well as an undated structure and hearth.

April 2014. Watching brief. The monitoring of the footprint of the tennis court, which is located in the north-western corner of the grounds, within the confines of a moated enclosure which potentially has its origins in the 12th or 13th century, revealed a number of features. All were exposed at the development impact level, and thus were not fully excavated. They have been protected and left in situ. Two linear features, representing possible garden features, of late post-medieval or modern date, were revealed on the site. A line of four undated postholes was also encountered in the north-western corner, indicative of a structure. The fills all contained daub fragments but no dateable artefacts were encountered, suggesting that the proposed structure did not have a domestic purpose. A probable hearth was also revealed, cutting the northernmost posthole. This had a thin lining of mixed soft red clay and daub. Its fill was rich in charcoal. <1> April 2016. Watching brief. Only a modern cut and an undated pit were discovered during the watching brief. <2>