An archaeological investigation of the foundations of the standing remains of the palace was carried out by Graham Hayman of SCAU for Woking Borough Council. Detailed information on the state of the foundations was needed as part of a programme of repair and conservation of the remains. The work indicated there is a complex stratigraphy indicating various building stages preserved on the site. The foundations of the present walls were built to a substantial depth and appeared in good condition. The foundations were made of a variety of materials including brick, chalk blocks and flint

Report by Greta Turner on progress on the clearance and study of the scheduled moated site. It is suggested that the small island east of the main island was never part of a larger island, later split, but was just a retaining bank to help control the run-off from the moat. A detailed survey drawing prepared by the RCHME is presented. A later report notes the completion of restoration and ‘opening’ of the site, with a reconstruction drawing. (267; 284; see report in SyAC 87, 127-145)

Report by S P Dyer of initial results of historic landscape survey carried out for SCC, SyAS and the National Trust. The survey had located the boundary bank between Godalming and Farnham hundreds, medieval and Tudor field systems and related building platforms, various holloways and other tracks, property boundaries and woodland banks, saw pits and charcoal burning hearths and earthworks attributed to the Canadian Army in the Second World War.

Excavation following on from evaluation in 1991, in advance of the Runfold diversion, part of the Blackwater Valley Route, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for SCC. Some prehistoric finds were made, but no contemporaneous features were discovered. Features of Roman date were recorded, including small pits and ditches and a small four post structure, as well as part of a large enclosure ditch. Provisional examination of the associated pottery suggests occupation dates to the early Roman period.

Recording by Farnham & District Museum Society of archaeological features revealed in building works and reported by K D Graham. A well-built late medieval wall of chalk blocks bonded with clay was found; it had probably acted as the retaining wall of a terrace. Later features included a brick-lined Tudor well and a rubbish pit.

Evaluation trial trenching by S P Dyer for SCAU and Alchemy Ltd located no features or stratigraphy but recovered one sherd of IA date and pottery and tile of Romano-British and medieval date.

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of construction of the M25 service station, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for the Department of Transport, revealed concentrations of 13th century pottery associated with areas of burning, thought to indicate the production of Limpsfield ware; further excavation was recommended. Two sections, one either side of the M25, were also dug through the London-Lewes Roman road and variations in construction were noted. Two areas, one either side of the motorway, were subsequently excavated by Graham Hayman of SCAU for English Heritage.

A watching brief on groundworks at the Town Hall and some excavation was carried out by P M G Jones of SCAU for Spelthorne Borough Council. This confirmed that the building lay over medieval and Roman near-shore muds and silts which were sealed below 16th-17th century levels, probably representing foreshore reclamation. A reed peat filled feature of 15th century date was recorded, which contained numerous cut offs of wood and scraps of leather. The earliest buildings on the site appear to be late 15th or 16th century in date.

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of redevelopment, by G R Pattison of SCAU for Surrey County Council, revealed two medieval ditches, possibly early field boundaries, and an undated hearth and gully.

Observation by D W Williams for the Hygate Partnership of the digging of foundation trenches revealed a stone wall probably dated post 1800 with an associated chalk surface. Beneath this surface deposits of late 12th/early 13th century date were found. (280)