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17 KAP soakaway – 2025 evaluation of the archaeology
17 KAP soakaway – 2025 evaluation of the archaeology
During the 2025 Hyde900 Heritage Open Day, we were alerted to some interesting stonework exposed during the construction of a soakaway at 17 KAP. With the kind permission of the householders, Hyde900 were allowed to extend the pit and record what was found.
The garden had previously been surveyed in preparation for the 2021 Hyde900 Community Dig, which included an adjacent garden.
Soakaway excavation prior to evaluation work
The GPR results for the garden of 17 KAP indicated substantial areas that were likely to be from the demolition of the Abbey and the county Bridewell (prison) built later on the site - remains of both had been found during the dig of the adjacent garden. However, the GPR survey in 2021 did not extend to the area of the new soakaway.
At the time of the Hyde900 evaluation, there were the remains of a wall made from finely finished malmstone running approximately N-S with a short return at right angles to the south. The excavated material comprised topsoil, subsoil and a layer of demolition material. The latter included fabric from the demolition layer (context 003) of the Abbey and the Bridewell. This included fragments of medieval fabric including stone (Caen), tile, slate roofing slabs, and yellow and black glazed flooring tiles matching those found in situ at 5 KAT during the Hyde900 Community Dig of 2021. The stonework was bedded on a thin layer of clayey mortar above a layer of densely compacted chalk (context 004). Samples of this layer were taken for subsequent analysis.
The depth at which the malmstone wall remains were found make it likely that this was an internal wall from part of a building of the Bridewell complex.
Start of evaluation looking west
Start of evaluation looking east
Base of Bridewell internal wall (malmstone)
Compacted chalk base with stone removed to facilitate further excavation of soakaway
Details of finds:
Details of finds:
Abbey / Bridewell demolition layer
Slate roofing from Abbey / Bridewell building
Large plain yellow and black glazed floor tiles:
240mm x 240mm x 32mm. These closely match the characteristics of tiles imported from the Low countries from the late 14th to 16th century. Similar tiles were supplied to Winchester College around 1397.
Tiles of this type have wide distribution in Hampshire. Demolition material from Hyde Abbey, the tiles were typically used for the construction of checkered pattern floors. Similar to those found at 5 KAT.
Building stone: Small moulded fragment of Caen stone with vertical tool marks. Demolition material from Abbey.
Malmstone masonry block used in the probable first course of the Bridewell (prison)
Brick and roof tile: Post medieval. Possibly used in the construction of the Bridwell.
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