SNN107607 - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Land at Ashton Wold House, Oundle, Northamptonshire

NA conducted an archaeological desk-based heritage assessment of land at Ashton Wold House, Oundle. There is little evidence of prehistoric or Romano-British settlement in the immediate area of the proposed development. During the Saxon period the area of Ashton Wold was probably wooded. At Domesday, the manor of Ashton was held by the Abbey of Peterborough and during the 11th to 13th centuries the entire area, including Ashton Wold, may have been cultivated. After Dissolution the manor of Ashton passed into private hands. By the beginning of the 19th century at the latest The Wold was again largely woodland and used primarily for hunting. The proposed development area lies on the edge of The Wold and appears to have been a small pasture field. The Ashton estate was bought by Lionel Rothschild in 1860. A hunting lodge was erected on the proposed development area at some point between 1860 and 1886. This building was demolished to make way for Ashton Wold House which was built by William Huckvale in 1900 along with a full complement of estate buildings and formal gardens. The proposed development area lies to the rear of the house adjacent to the service wing. It is situated away from the formal elements of the gardens.