Surrey Archaeological Society

No evidence of any archaeological features were found during the watching brief however test pits 8, 9 and 10 did display signs of modern disturbance which may have been associated with the landscaping of the grounds of the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) building.

Two phases of archaeological excavations were undertaken within the Tilly's Lane development area on the north side of Staines High Street. A single trench was excavated at Tilly's Lane East between April and June 1999, with two trenches at Tilly's Lane West - British Gas and High Street sites - between February and May 2000. All the trenches lay on the gravel island, though Tilly's Lane East and the British Gas site lay within early flood zones.

Evaluation trenching in advance of the construction of a new road revealed prehistoric flintwork and pottery and a post-medieval gully. Two skeletons had been discovered in earlier work by S E Winbolt.

An evaluation and small-scale excavation of a site at Egham High Street located a pit and a gully of prehistoric date, several features of medieval date including a cobbled yard surface and midden, and structural remains dating to the late medieval/post-medieval transition period.

In August 2012 Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out a field evaluation on land at Dunsfold park, Dunsfold, Surrey on behalf of Bio Group Ltd. The evaluation comprised machine excavation of 8 trenches 60m long and 2 trenches 25m in length, all with a width of 1.6m. The evaluation found very little in the way of significant archaeological remains. Agricultural furrows were identified crossing the site, generally from west-north-west to east-south-east, but the only archaeological features were one pit (or tree-throw hole) and a north-south ditch that was located crossing two trenches.

Oxford Archaeology (OA) was asked by Atkins Ltd, acting on behalf of The Environment Agency, to carry out a programme of heritage asset recording on five paddle and rymer weirs on the River Thames (and Kennet), which are to be replaced. The weirs recorded are those at Radcot, Northmoor, Mapledurham, Blakes and Molesey. OA previously undertook a similar piece of recording on Shepperton 'B' Weir on the River Thames in Surrey.

Oxford Archaeology (OA) has carried out a programme of investigation and recording at Weir House in Guildford, Surrey, a Grade II Listed Building owned by the National Trust and situated in a Conservation Area. The house is in good condition and currently inhabited by tenants. The work is in advance of any possible changes that may be proposed in the future so that informed conservation recommendations can be made for practical and effective management that will not compromise the buildings special features and overall historic value.

In January 2013, Oxford Archaeology carried out a trial trench evaluation at Land at Blackburn Trading Estate, Northumberland Road, Stanwell, Surrey. Features associated with the early 20th century development of the site for an animal feeds factory were recorded. No earlier archaeological features were present. Across much of the site, recent remediation work is likely to have removed any archaeological features which may have once existed.

In October 2013 Oxford Archaeology conducted an archaeological test-pit evaluation and watching brief during the excavation of a channel diversion at Farnham Bourne, Surrey (centred at NGR: SU 8472 4617). The excavation exposed modern reinforcement of the south bank of the water course together with two phases of probable garden soils overlying alluvial deposits. The existing channel’s location, above the level of the gardens to the south, suggests that the water course was channelised, probably to supply a mill further to the east.

Oxford Archaeology undertook a staged programme of archaeological work at Priory Park, Reigate, Surrey, during May-July 2005 on behalf of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Land Use Consultants. This programme included a desk-based assessment, walkover survey, geophysical survey and trenched evaluation. Most of the fieldwork was targeted at elucidating the location and layout of the medieval Reigate Priory, and the post-Dissolution development of the Priory as a residence set in landscaped parkland.