Wapsbourne Manor, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex - Archaeological Watching Brief

Wessex Archaeology

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned to undertake an archaeological watching brief during groundworks associated with installation of heat pump ducting at Wapsbourne Manor, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex. The archaeological monitoring was centred on NGR 39957 123406.

The monitored works comprised the hand excavation of a trench measuring 6.5 m in length, 0.60 m in width and 1 m in depth extending north from the wall of the manor. Observed within this trench was the soil sequence consisting of dark greyish brown silty clay that overlay the underlying natural geology.

Within the trench the remains of two brick walls were encountered along with brick lined drain, all constructed of rough handmade bricks and dating to the late 18th to 19th century. The dating of the bricks suggests these walls were built around the time of the demolition of the eastern portion of the house and are likely contemporary with one another. The walls were not of substantial construction and were located only 0.6 m apart, suggesting they supported a small structure. The function of the walls is unclear, their proximity to the house and garden wall may suggest they formed an entrance way into the garden from the west side, or possibly were constructed for storage or a garden feature. There is no reference to any structure against the northern gable wall of the house in any of the historic mapping or the 18th century floor plan of the house, suggesting is these walls did not form a structure with significant function. The relationship between the walls and drain was not clear, their differing alignments may suggest they are not contemporary. The specific function of the drain was also unclear, it may have provided drainage to move ground water away from the house and gardens, or may be related to the adjacent standpipe.