A desk based survey was completed drawing together all known information about the gardens, and geophysical and topographical surveys were also carried out. Digging began on 28 January 2008, and started with the well that was discovered during the 2003-2006 refurbishment at the back of the building; locations for other trenches were decided (no trenches were dug on the bowling green), and the excavation continued. This phase lasted until early March.
The project was funded through the Leader+ organisation and has included opportunities for school children and people from the district to find out about the dig itself and the work involved in the archaeological process. The council also asked for volunteers from the community to help show people what was happening, and to participate in the digs.
Primary and secondary schools were encouraged to visit Ayscoughfee on set days and times to participate in a number of activities associated with the project. Although these sessions have now finished, the information and teachers packs have been incorporated into our new, free education resources.
We hope that these resources will help to make your visit come alive!
NAU's website also has a lot of information about the project, including the daily blog completed by the archaeologists as they were digging, as well as the background reports and initial archaeological analysis.
South Holland District Council would like to acknowledge the generous assistance of a number of organisations for their help with this project: Lincolnshire Fens Leader+, The Friends of Ayscoughfee, The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council East Midlands, Lincolnshire County Council and The Rotary Club of Spalding Welland Centenary.
