Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 554: summary

An archaeological watching brief at Sewards End Farm, Redgates Lane, Sewards End, Uttlesford, Essex - June 2010
by Ben Holloway

Date report completed: June 2010
Location: Sewards End Farm, Redgates Lane, Sewards End, Uttlesford, Essex
Map reference(s): TL 5710 3852
File size: 206 kb
Project type: Watching brief
Significance of the results: negative
Keywords: -

Summary. Sewards End Farmhouse is a Grade II listed structure, which has recently been extensively restored. A previous watching brief on the underpinning of the foundations in 2007 (under a different developer) is the subject of a previous report (CAT Report 465). The building has a 17th century timber (or earlier?) frame with more modern additions (EHER no 27175). The 20th-century brick-built barn, piggery, cow shed and small stable are of limited interest. To the north and east of the farmyard lies an incomplete moat (EHER 156). In NW Essex, moated enclosures may originate in the 12th-13th century. The current project involved the monitoring of the excavation of storm water drains across the farmyard. Following a brief issued by Essex County Council Historic Environment Management team (Sewards End Farm, Redgates Lane, Sewards End: January 2007), a watching brief was commissioned and carried out by CAT in June 2010. Most of the trenches (300mm wide, maximum depth 350mm) were not deep enough to cut through the surface (L1), a mixture of clay-rich topsoil, brick, loose cobbles, and hardcore (probably the remains of an older yard surface). Natural (L2: boulder clay with chalk and flint inclusions) was only seen to the north and east of the former barn. Ground level has been reduced at some time (presumably to level the site), and very little topsoil remained. No archaeological features were observed. There were no finds.