Digital Archive from an Archaeological Excavation at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, County Durham, August 2022
Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Durham, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1102095. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Durham unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Primary contact
Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Durham
The Rope Works
Broadwood View
Chester-le-Street
Durham
DH3 3AF
United Kingdom
Tel: 0191 377 1111
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 5033
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1102095
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images and CAD from an an archaeological excavation of the 18th century Bath and Banqueting Houses in Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, County Durham. Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by The Friends of Hardwick Park, to undertake this work in August 2022.
The Friends of Hardwick Park, working in partnership with Durham County Council and the Ramside Estate, developed a project to investigate and ultimately restore/ rebuild the Bath and Banqueting Houses. The funds for this first phase of works have been raised from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Sir James Knott Trust to support a small community led project to partially excavate the Bath and Banqueting Houses at Hardwick Park. The primary objective of the works comprised targeted community archaeological excavation to establish the survival and extent of the two buildings. The results of this project will feed into further stages of architectural and engineering design work as well as costing exercises.
Seven trenches were excavated at the site targeting both the Bath and Banqueting Houses. Trench 1 was sited over the Bath House and aimed to identify the central plunge pool and ascertain whether there was any evidence of a lantern within the roof structure. Trenches 2-7 were located at the Banqueting House and aimed to identify the extent of the building including the four principal corners, the bay window to the north-west and the two rear rooms which formed the original entrance on the north-east facing elevation. The archaeological investigations at Hardwick Park have demonstrated that below-ground remains of both the Bath and Banqueting Houses survived in an excellent state of preservation.
The works have provided key structural information on construction materials and the extent, depth and archaeological potential of the remains of both mid-18th century structures. The location of architectural fragments recovered from the demolition deposits were recorded and a photographic catalogue maintained of each fragment. Evidence for the phases of construction and use of each building was identified with particular focus on the remains of central plunge pool and its water system within the Bath House and also the function of the rear rooms in the Banqueting House.
Within Trench 1 the Bath was relatively intact, with only the metal railings removed around the western edge and a few blocks of stonework around the water pipe at the southern edge. There was subsidence in the western exterior wall (caused by missing blockwork in the bath structure) and part of the floor surface within the vestibule had been 'robbed-out' but overall, the structure was in good condition. The plan and design of the central bath was established, which was one of the principal aims of the investigation, however it is still unclear whether there was a lantern above the room. Although there was a high quantity of glass within the demolition material (60 fragments), these were spread out across the trench and there was no evidence for glazing bars found within the excavated part of the bath. As the bath was not fully excavated, it is possible that remains of the lantern may still be present at the base of the plunge pool. This is likely as the roof structures of derelict buildings are liable to collapse first and therefore will be found near the base of the bath.
Trenches 2-7 exposed the full footprint of the Banqueting House including the rear rooms on the eastern side of the structure. The bay-window in Trench 6 was found to be still intact albeit heavily truncated during the demolition of the structure in the 1950s. Foundations for all walls were exposed as well as the position of the three internal fireplaces (one in the main hall and one in ante and retiring rooms). Prior to the demolition of the Banqueting House, the internal timber floor within the main part of the building was removed to be used elsewhere. This left only one floorboard in situ adjacent to the main fireplace as well as the possible stone floor surface within the northern rear room. Timber floors were likely present in both the main hall and the southern rear room due to the presence of brick sleeper walls that would have supported floor joists. No midden deposits were uncovered during the works so this aspect of the research aims could not be addressed.
The broad range of architectural and decorative materials recovered from the trenches included painted plaster fragments, decorative stuccowork (some gilded), worked stone (several featuring the egg and dart design), as well as Corinthian capitals from the pilaster columns and numerous sandstone balusters. This range of materials will be invaluable in reconstructing the form of both the internal and external decoration within the Bath and Banqueting Houses. The records produced from this phase of works (including information on structural materials, depth of foundations, construction methods and degree of survival) will be used to inform future design work on reconstructing the two buildings.
The Hardwick Park investigations have made a significant contribution to archaeological knowledge of post-medieval managed landscapes. Shared Visions: the North-East Regional Research Framework for the Historic Environment (NERRF; Petts & Gerrard 2006) highlighted the importance of research as a vital element of development led archaeological work as little archaeological investigation has been carried out on 18th century landscapes. The 18th century was a period of great expansion of stately homes and their associated designed landscapes. Some of these were owned by long-established families of high standing and others by newly enriched individuals such as Hardwick's John Burdon. Many of these estates have suffered from partition, development and decay in the 20th century and the NERRF notes a need for further research into these landscapes (research agenda PM5. Landscapes and mansions of the 18th century). The archaeological works at Hardwick have contributed to research agenda PM5 which highlights Hardwick Park as a flagship example of conservation and research (Petts & Gerrard 2006, 181).
Along with the archaeological and architectural significance of the project data, the site of the Bath and Banqueting Houses hold value for a number of different communities and groups such as historic landscape enthusiasts, community volunteer groups, visitors to Hardwick Hall or Hardwick Park, local residents and students of all ages. The community archaeological investigation was deemed to have been an overall success as it engaged volunteers and provided them opportunities for basic training in archaeological surveying, excavation, finds processing and trench reinstatement.
