Historic landscape survey by C Currie of these estates, for the National Trust. Early references mention a number of ‘hatches’ or gates, where tracks left the farmland to enter the common. These ‘hatches’ are likely to be Saxon, if not earlier, and adjoining them are equally ancient farm sites, all but one of which still survive. The Polesden family and estate are first mentioned in documents of the late 12th century. The suffix ‘Lacey’ is first mentioned in 1562, but it did not become commonly used until the 18th or even 19th centuries; previously the estate was known as High Polesden.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU, for Mr & Mrs Callcut, of the site of a barn, which is to be converted for residential use. The original brick sill walls for the timber frame were revealed, but no other features of archaeological interest were present.

A watching brief was maintained by R Poulton of SCAU, for Mr & Mrs Grundy, on the groundworks for extensions to this property; no features or finds of archaeological interest were noted.

A watching brief was maintained by R Poulton of SCAU, for Randell Construction, on works to this building. A mixed layer of probably 17th-18th century date overlying natural sand was revealed during groundworks. (314)

Building recording by Beryl Higgins & Vivienne Ettlinger of one of the former abattoir buildings, to be retained and refurbished, identified it as 17th or 18th century in origin. A watching brief was undertaken by N Shaikhley of SCAU, for Ian Vincent Property, during construction of housing on the remainder of the site. A ceramic vessel, identified as a ‘tyg’ of 17th century date, was found in spoil. No features of archaeological interest were revealed; the site was seen to have been very disturbed. (314, 321)

Excavation of this redevelopment site within the historic centre of Dorking, for Fairclough Homes, by J Pine of TVAS continued in 1996. A number of medieval pits, post-holes and gullies and a late medieval well were recorded. The pottery from these features has been dated to the 12th/13th century. A few features of Roman date were also recorded. (301) see report in SyAC 90, 261-271

Observation by N Shaikhley of SCAU of the footing trenches for an extension to The Tower, which was constructed c.1820. The corner of a wall constructed in the same stone as, and presumably associated with, The Tower was revealed; no finds were recovered. (321)

Evaluation by R Poulton & G Pattison of SCAU, for Gosterwood Estates Ltd, in advance of the construction of a lake revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest. A subsequent evaluation by J Stevenson of SCAU, within the area of a proposed swimming pool, also revealed no features or finds of archaeological interest. (321)

A watching brief by D Saich of SCC on the groundworks for a new vestry revealed a sherd of 4th century Roman pottery.

Excavation by S Dyer, for SyAS, continued on the site of a villa first excavated in 1877, with the aim of establishing the size of the complex and the location of the 19th century excavation. The work established the plan of a western range of what is presumed to be a corridor villa, but not the full extent of the complex. The results suggest different phases of construction, with the western range possibly being the earliest and the northern range the latest. Finds recovered range from mid/late 1st century to late 4th century AD.