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HER 580 - Great Fosters late 16th century homestead and moat

Great Fosters. Listed Building Grade I. Circa 1550-1600. A large half 'H' shaped moated brick building, carefully restored and altered. Famous as being the home of Lord Chief Justice Foster. Now in use as a country hotel. Great Fosters is in excellent condition. On the east side are the three water filled arms of a homestead moat, now part of an ornamental garden.

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• View this record on Surrey's Interactive Map
• View the National Monument Record for this site.

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Archaeological History

Activity	Person & Organisation	Dates
area excavation	Leary, J PreCA	2001-07-17
Description Archaeological recording at Great Fosters produced evidence of intermittent human activity spanning the early Holocene to the modern period. The site has the potential to contribute to current understanding of the prehistoric landscape, providing environmental and archaeological evidence for the early Holocene landscape, Mesolithic/early Neolithic activity woodland clearance, and the subsequent development of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fields which formed part of a wider landscape of co-axial field systems. The limited evidence for 5th century occupation contrasts with elsewhere in the region and the evidence for Saxon and medieval settlement provides archaeological confirmation for a precursor to the 16th century Great Fosters building. However, the sparse nature of the evidence and the broad date range spanning the 5th-15th centuries AD provides little potential for further study or meaningful interpretation. The architectural history of the house remains poorly understood, especially the uncertain dating of the earliest phases of the house. Although it would be highly desirable to establish a tighter chronology for the recorded building phases, recent restoration, the re-use of earlier building materials and the prolonged use of local brick fabrics suggest that such a task would be beyond the scope of the current study. The site has produced a small but locally and regionally important data set, which has particular relevance for the study of the prehistoric landscape. Publication of a short article in Surrey Archaeological Collections is recommended. The article should outline the background to the project, describe the excavation of the prehistoric phases and place that evidence in its regional context, as well as summarising the evidence from the later phases. The archive of records and finds will be organised in accordance with Guidelines for the Preparation of Archaeological Archives for Deposition with the Museum of London and deposited with the London Archaeological Archive and Record Centre (LAARC).Site supervised and report written by J. Leary of Pre-Construct Archaeolog Project managed by Ken Whittaker and Simon Blatherwick of Gifford and Partners. Excavation carried out in 2001, report written 2005. Location Surrey, Runnymede, Egham, Grid Reference TQ 013 696 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Gifford & Partners Leary, J document more... Reference Great Fosters Hotel: Post Excavation Assessment on Archaeological Works Reference 27/04/05 Reference Archaeological recording at Great Fosters produced evidence of intermittent human activity spanning the early Holocene to the modern period. The site has the potential to contribute to current understanding of the prehistoric landscape, providing environmental and archaeological evidence for the early Holocene landscape, Mesolithic/early Neolithic activity woodland clearance, and the subsequent development of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fields which formed part of a wider landscape of co-axial field systems. The limited evidence for 5th century occupation contrasts with elsewhere in the region and the evidence for Saxon and medieval settlement provides archaeological confirmation for a precursor to the 16th century Great Fosters building. However, the sparse nature of the evidence and the broad date range spanning the 5th-15th centuries AD provides little potential for further study or meaningful interpretation. The architectural history of the house remains poorly understood, especially the uncertain dating of the earliest phases of the house. Although it would be highly desirable to establish a tighter chronology for the recorded building phases, recent restoration, the re-use of earlier building materials and the prolonged use of local brick fabrics suggest that such a task would be beyond the scope of the current study. The site has produced a small but locally and regionally important data set, which has particular relevance for the study of the prehistoric landscape. Publication of a short article in Surrey Archaeological Collections is recommended. The article should outline the background to the project, describe the excavation of the prehistoric phases and place that evidence in its regional context, as well as summarising the evidence from the later phases. The archive of records and finds will be organised in accordance with Guidelines for the Preparation of Archaeological Archives for Deposition with the Museum of London and deposited with the London Archaeological Archive and Record Centre (LAARC). Reference Site supervised and report written by J. Leary of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Project Managed by Ken Whittaker and Simon Blatherwick of Gifford & Partners Two versions of this report are held in the HER Holding Location Surrey HER 2 parts
Ref: The Buildings of England: Surrey Ref: 31/12/99 Ref: ISBN 0140710213 First and second edition held by SMR		Surrey HER 2 copies1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: Victoria County History of Surrey Ref: 31/12/1912	4	Surrey HER1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/03	90	Surrey HER1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: An Archaeological Desk Based Assessment of Great Fosters Hotel, Egham, Surrey Ref: 13/09/01		Surrey HER1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: Great Fosters Hotel: Post Excavation Assessment on Archaeological Works Ref: 27/04/05 Ref: Archaeological recording at Great Fosters produced evidence of intermittent human activity spanning the early Holocene to the modern period. The site has the potential to contribute to current understanding of the prehistoric landscape, providing environmental and archaeological evidence for the early Holocene landscape, Mesolithic/early Neolithic activity woodland clearance, and the subsequent development of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fields which formed part of a wider landscape of co-axial field systems. The limited evidence for 5th century occupation contrasts with elsewhere in the region and the evidence for Saxon and medieval settlement provides archaeological confirmation for a precursor to the 16th century Great Fosters building. However, the sparse nature of the evidence and the broad date range spanning the 5th-15th centuries AD provides little potential for further study or meaningful interpretation. The architectural history of the house remains poorly understood, especially the uncertain dating of the earliest phases of the house. Although it would be highly desirable to establish a tighter chronology for the recorded building phases, recent restoration, the re-use of earlier building materials and the prolonged use of local brick fabrics suggest that such a task would be beyond the scope of the current study. The site has produced a small but locally and regionally important data set, which has particular relevance for the study of the prehistoric landscape. Publication of a short article in Surrey Archaeological Collections is recommended. The article should outline the background to the project, describe the excavation of the prehistoric phases and place that evidence in its regional context, as well as summarising the evidence from the later phases. The archive of records and finds will be organised in accordance with Guidelines for the Preparation of Archaeological Archives for Deposition with the Museum of London and deposited with the London Archaeological Archive and Record Centre (LAARC). Ref: Site supervised and report written by J. Leary of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Project Managed by Ken Whittaker and Simon Blatherwick of Gifford & Partners Two versions of this report are held in the HER		Surrey HER2 parts		6-8, 399

Source

Details	Volume	Holding Information	Publisher Information	Pages
area excavation	Leary, J PreCA	2001-07-17
Description Archaeological recording at Great Fosters produced evidence of intermittent human activity spanning the early Holocene to the modern period. The site has the potential to contribute to current understanding of the prehistoric landscape, providing environmental and archaeological evidence for the early Holocene landscape, Mesolithic/early Neolithic activity woodland clearance, and the subsequent development of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fields which formed part of a wider landscape of co-axial field systems. The limited evidence for 5th century occupation contrasts with elsewhere in the region and the evidence for Saxon and medieval settlement provides archaeological confirmation for a precursor to the 16th century Great Fosters building. However, the sparse nature of the evidence and the broad date range spanning the 5th-15th centuries AD provides little potential for further study or meaningful interpretation. The architectural history of the house remains poorly understood, especially the uncertain dating of the earliest phases of the house. Although it would be highly desirable to establish a tighter chronology for the recorded building phases, recent restoration, the re-use of earlier building materials and the prolonged use of local brick fabrics suggest that such a task would be beyond the scope of the current study. The site has produced a small but locally and regionally important data set, which has particular relevance for the study of the prehistoric landscape. Publication of a short article in Surrey Archaeological Collections is recommended. The article should outline the background to the project, describe the excavation of the prehistoric phases and place that evidence in its regional context, as well as summarising the evidence from the later phases. The archive of records and finds will be organised in accordance with Guidelines for the Preparation of Archaeological Archives for Deposition with the Museum of London and deposited with the London Archaeological Archive and Record Centre (LAARC).Site supervised and report written by J. Leary of Pre-Construct Archaeolog Project managed by Ken Whittaker and Simon Blatherwick of Gifford and Partners. Excavation carried out in 2001, report written 2005. Location Surrey, Runnymede, Egham, Grid Reference TQ 013 696 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Gifford & Partners Leary, J document more... Reference Great Fosters Hotel: Post Excavation Assessment on Archaeological Works Reference 27/04/05 Reference Archaeological recording at Great Fosters produced evidence of intermittent human activity spanning the early Holocene to the modern period. The site has the potential to contribute to current understanding of the prehistoric landscape, providing environmental and archaeological evidence for the early Holocene landscape, Mesolithic/early Neolithic activity woodland clearance, and the subsequent development of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fields which formed part of a wider landscape of co-axial field systems. The limited evidence for 5th century occupation contrasts with elsewhere in the region and the evidence for Saxon and medieval settlement provides archaeological confirmation for a precursor to the 16th century Great Fosters building. However, the sparse nature of the evidence and the broad date range spanning the 5th-15th centuries AD provides little potential for further study or meaningful interpretation. The architectural history of the house remains poorly understood, especially the uncertain dating of the earliest phases of the house. Although it would be highly desirable to establish a tighter chronology for the recorded building phases, recent restoration, the re-use of earlier building materials and the prolonged use of local brick fabrics suggest that such a task would be beyond the scope of the current study. The site has produced a small but locally and regionally important data set, which has particular relevance for the study of the prehistoric landscape. Publication of a short article in Surrey Archaeological Collections is recommended. The article should outline the background to the project, describe the excavation of the prehistoric phases and place that evidence in its regional context, as well as summarising the evidence from the later phases. The archive of records and finds will be organised in accordance with Guidelines for the Preparation of Archaeological Archives for Deposition with the Museum of London and deposited with the London Archaeological Archive and Record Centre (LAARC). Reference Site supervised and report written by J. Leary of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Project Managed by Ken Whittaker and Simon Blatherwick of Gifford & Partners Two versions of this report are held in the HER Holding Location Surrey HER 2 parts
Ref: The Buildings of England: Surrey Ref: 31/12/99 Ref: ISBN 0140710213 First and second edition held by SMR		Surrey HER 2 copies1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: Victoria County History of Surrey Ref: 31/12/1912	4	Surrey HER1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: Surrey Archaeological Collections Ref: 31/12/03	90	Surrey HER1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: An Archaeological Desk Based Assessment of Great Fosters Hotel, Egham, Surrey Ref: 13/09/01		Surrey HER1 part		6-8, 399
Ref: Great Fosters Hotel: Post Excavation Assessment on Archaeological Works Ref: 27/04/05 Ref: Archaeological recording at Great Fosters produced evidence of intermittent human activity spanning the early Holocene to the modern period. The site has the potential to contribute to current understanding of the prehistoric landscape, providing environmental and archaeological evidence for the early Holocene landscape, Mesolithic/early Neolithic activity woodland clearance, and the subsequent development of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fields which formed part of a wider landscape of co-axial field systems. The limited evidence for 5th century occupation contrasts with elsewhere in the region and the evidence for Saxon and medieval settlement provides archaeological confirmation for a precursor to the 16th century Great Fosters building. However, the sparse nature of the evidence and the broad date range spanning the 5th-15th centuries AD provides little potential for further study or meaningful interpretation. The architectural history of the house remains poorly understood, especially the uncertain dating of the earliest phases of the house. Although it would be highly desirable to establish a tighter chronology for the recorded building phases, recent restoration, the re-use of earlier building materials and the prolonged use of local brick fabrics suggest that such a task would be beyond the scope of the current study. The site has produced a small but locally and regionally important data set, which has particular relevance for the study of the prehistoric landscape. Publication of a short article in Surrey Archaeological Collections is recommended. The article should outline the background to the project, describe the excavation of the prehistoric phases and place that evidence in its regional context, as well as summarising the evidence from the later phases. The archive of records and finds will be organised in accordance with Guidelines for the Preparation of Archaeological Archives for Deposition with the Museum of London and deposited with the London Archaeological Archive and Record Centre (LAARC). Ref: Site supervised and report written by J. Leary of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Project Managed by Ken Whittaker and Simon Blatherwick of Gifford & Partners Two versions of this report are held in the HER		Surrey HER2 parts		6-8, 399

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