Surrey Archaeological Society

Historic building survey by Dr E Oakley for AAL (Allen Archaeology Ltd) revealed an L-shaped block of one- and two-storey brick buildings, with four broad phases of development identified. The earliest component represented buildings established c 1868 as part of the Filmer and Mason Ironworks. By 1881 the site was known as Church Acre ironworks and a number of small extensions were added in the period 1881–96. The ironworks ceased operation in the 1920s and the site was later occupied by the army.

Evaluation and excavation by V Hughes and B Atfield of OA revealed an east–west orientated ditch, from which struck flints of probable Mesolithic or early Neolithic date were recovered, and a north–south orientated ditch. As a result of the evaluation, an area measuring 50 x 30m was investigated. The anticipated ditches proved to date from the Late Iron Age, but a substantial scatter of worked flint, not encountered in the evaluation, was revealed close to the south-east edge of the site.

A watching brief by G Pattison of SCAU recorded an exposure of part of a wall that was formerly part of Guildford Castle. The wall is interpreted as being the top of the north wall of a first-floor solar erected in 1256 over the gatehouse.

Evaluation by D Platt of TVAS. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed.

Evaluation by J Murphy of HA (Headland Archaeology) recorded only a series of deposits associated with modern development.

Watching brief by A Taylor of TVAS during soil stripping did not reveal any deposits or finds of any archaeological interest.

Strip, map and record excavation by A Simmonds of OA revealed a pit and gully dating from the Early Bronze Age and 94 pits that were attributed to the Middle Bronze Age/Early Iron Age. The remains were dominated by shallow pits, arranged into a northern group of fairly widely scattered, discrete pits and a more densely concentrated group of features cut into a chalk outcrop at the southern end of the site. Some of the pits had clearly defined, deliberately cut edges but others were amorphous and are likely to have been natural in origin, probably representing tree-throw holes.

Watching brief by D Bray and S Porter of TVAS revealed two ditches, two postholes and a quarried area. The pits were dated to the medieval period by sparse artefactual evidence while one of the postholes contained Iron Age pottery.

Gradiometer survey by G Shaw of WA revealed two main areas of potentially significant archaeology: an enclosure to the north, and a series of rectangular enclosures immediately east of Blackwell Farm. Further possible archaeological features interpreted as former field boundaries and some isolated pits or possibly segments of ditches were also recorded.

Watching brief by K Butler of CBAS (Chris Butler Archaeological Services). No archaeological features were noted. However, a large quantity of artefacts was recovered including pottery, ceramic building material and clay pipe. The artefacts had a date range of 1550–1900 or later and were approximately contemporary with the house. The artefacts suggested a rubbish pit or midden to the house but no evidence was found for a cut. It is possible the artefacts were redeposited during later levelling.