SNN110339 - Archaeological watching brief at the Stew Ponds, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire, 2016

Report on a watching brief during restoration work to three stew ponds that lie within the Scheduled Monument, Conservation Area and Grade II* Registered Park associated with Canon's Ashby. As a result of the investigation, it has been determined that all three ponds were dug into the natural clay geology, with no evidence of any additional lining. A timber and stone channel was identified between Ponds 1 and 2 and a brick-built conduit was present within the northern bank of Pond 3, which appeared to run from Pond 2, although no trace of the structure was observed within the northern bank of Pond 2. A possible wooden sluice was also present in the southern bank of Pond 3. All features were preserved in situ. Finds from the ponds did not pre-date the 20th century indicating they had been dredged and maintained until the mid-20th century.