Time Team Beningbrough

This weekend, National Trust Archaeologist Mark Newman and Dr Chris Gaffney of Geophysical Surveys of Bradford came to Beningbrough for the next phase of some ongoing archaeological work in our parkland. Previous work has uncovered evidence for the original Beningbrough Hall and the extensive formal gardens surrounding it.

The original house was the home of the Bourchier family from the 1540s until the building of the current mansion in 1716. We know relatively little about the Tudor house, but are now all set to unearth some more information. Two locations were chosen for this weekend's geophysical survey. The first is an area of what we believe to be the old formal gardens, and the second is a section of those gardens where we may also find remains of the house. 

The Bourchiers were a highly significant family in the Elizabethan era, and the evidence we have so far suggests this was reflected in the size of the gardens surrounding their mansion. A further clue is a later engraving (c1720) by Samuel Buck showing elaborate gardens to the front of the current house. The survey will help us fill in the details.

Local groups of archaeological enthusiasts and garden historians were invited to come and see the survey taking place and witness this new chapter in Beningbrough's history being written. Mark Newman, who has supervised the various stages of archaeogical work to date, led groups on a tour of the sites. Saturday's event and indeed the whole survey was funded by Natural England, as part of their support for the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, in agreement with park tenant Mr.A.Jackson.

The results of the survey should be available to us towards the end of March - watch this space!

 

NT archaeologist Mark Newman welcoming visitors this Saturday 

Aerial view - the areas in green and red are the sites which were surveyed

Mark on site talking to visitors about the findings of previous archaeological work at Beningbrough

Dr Chris Gaffney explaining to a visiting group how gyophys can detect the hidden remains of Beingbrough's old gardens and mansion

Visiting groups get the chance to have a go at geophys themselves on site