SNN107897 - An Archaeological Evaluation Within the Moated Orchard at Lyveden New Bield, Northamptonshire, September 2011

Eight trial trenches were excavated to establish the presence or absence of the circular planting borders and paths laid out by Sir Thomas Tresham between 1597 and his death in 1605. A series of concentric rings can be seen on an aerial photograph taken c.1944 but shortly afterwards the area was ploughed. Geophysical survey undertaken in 2011 did not reveal indications of the circular beds nor were any identified during the evaluation. The only features revealed were underlying medieval features relating to land use prior to the creation of the Elizabethan garden and surrounding canals.