Site Event/Activity record EEM14695 - 2007: WB - The Tithe Barn

In January 2007 an archaeological watching brief was conducted during groundworks for disabled access and drainage at the Tithe Barn. Two substantial foundations on north to south and east to west alignments constructed of clay bonded sandstone were located immediately to the west of, and ran beneath, the existing barn. These appeared to represent the western exterior wall and an internal division of a substantial medieval building of some pretension, as suggested by a decorated floor tile and glazed ridge tile fragments from overlying demolition. To the west, a weathered surface constructed of lias slabs was revealed, possibly representing an exterior yard surface contemporary with the medieval walls. It is probable that these are the remains of part of a building associated with the medieval priory, the church of which remains to the south of the site. Further sandstone wall remains and yard surfaces of pitched sandstone cobbles, overlying the medieval walls, probably related to post-medieval farm ancillary buildings known to have existed on the site.