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Summary

A number of earthwork features probably representing deitches, field boundaries, tree mounds and a trackway were identified from Lidar data, and several ground-truthed by subsequent walkover survey.

Location

Protected Status

• Registered Park or Garden (II) 1001268: STOVER PARK

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• DITCH (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1540 AD (Between) to 2000 AD (Between))
• EARTHWORK (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1540 AD (Between) to 2000 AD (Between))
• TRACKWAY (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))
• TREE MOUND (XVIII to Late 20th Century - 1701 AD (Between) to 2000 AD (Between))

Full description

Unattributed, 2021, Restoring Stover Park. Archaeological Surveys. Lidar Assessment, Area 3 (Report - non-specific). SDV366261.

A probable tree mound and a number of drains and banks depicted on 1st and 2nd edition OS maps are visible as earthworks.
A curvilinear ditch identifiable as an earthwork in the north-west of in Area 3 is probably a 20th century field boundary ditch/drain. A linear hollow to the north-east of 3 is interpreted as a continuation of a trackway from the north

Passmore, A. + Rainbird, P., 2021, Restoring Stover Park. Report on Archaeological Surveys., 6; Fig. 4; Plates 3-5; Appendix 1 (Report - Survey). SDV366260.

The proposals for Area 3 are to dump silts that have been excavated from the restoration of the ornamental canal north of Stover House. There is no previously known archaeological interest in the area, although the two fields are bounded to the west by the south arm of Stover Lake, and its associated earthwork bank on its downhill (here eastward) side.
Both the Ordnance Survey First and Second Edition 25-inch maps of 1889 and 1905 record (mainly) single trees within both fields, along with sporadic trees along the eastern boundary of the north field adjacent to the Ventiford Brook. The maps also show a single watercourse in the southern field draining into the Ventiford brook.
Consultation of historic mapping and Lidar data identified several earthworks which were then ground-truthed through a walkover survey:
A curvilinear drain in the southern field, visible as an earthwork, is depicted on the OS First and Second Edition 25” maps. Lateral drains are partly depicted on OS 1953-1969 edition. The curvilinear drain was identified on the ground and appears to be an active drain. The lateral drains are very subtle and but present and appear to be formerly related to drainage. These features may date to the 19th and 20th centuries.
A low mound at SX8348774613 in the southern field is probably a tree mound; a tree is depicted here on the OS First and Second Edition 25” maps. The tree is not visible on 1940s-2010 aerial imagery but one appears to have been briefly re-established from 2014-2015. This was not identified as an extant feature.
Banks identifiable as low earthworks in the north field do not correspond with any boundaries depicted on historic maps but are regular and may be evidence of postmedieval boundaries. The easternmost of these potential earthworks is subtle but present and runs parallel with the Ventiford Brook and is probably a former field boundary. The westernmost could not be identified as an extant feature.
A curvilinear ditch identifiable as an earthwork in the northwest part of the north field is probably a 20th-century field boundary ditch/drain. This could not identified as an extant feature.
A linear hollow to the northeast of the north field interpreted as a continuation of a trackway from the north. The trackway emerges over an open drain by means of a small stone bridge where it appears on the ground to stop. This continuation of the trackway could not be identified as an extant feature.
No further landscape investigations are required. An initial settings and impact appraisal has been undertaken but a full assessment can only be undertaken once more detailed proposals have been established.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV9169 - Restoring Stover Park (Ref: ACD2341/1/0)

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