SNN117071 - Astwell Castle Farm Stables, Helmdon, Brackley, Northamptonshire Archaeological Investigation (OIRAP) and Historic Building Recording

Oxford Archaeology (OA) has been commissioned by Mrs Sophie Bonsor to undertake a programme of building recording (Level 2) and archaeological OIRAP (observation, investigation, recording, analysis and publication) at Astwell Castle Farm in Northamptonshire during the upgrading and partial conversion of a former Stable Block (planning ref: 2023/5073/FULL). The archaeological OIRAP focussed on the partial excavation of the floor. Astwell Castle Farm is a site of considerable heritage significance; it is a Grade II listed building with 15th-century origins and it is partially surrounded by a scheduled monument that encompasses the approximate footprint of a former courtyard house. In addition, the castle stands within a wider site comprising the earthwork remains of a deserted medieval village. The stable is located in the curtilage of the listed building and just outside the boundary of the scheduled monument. The stables range is probably of mid-19th-century date and evidence noted in the current work suggests it was constructed in two phases. This is partly suggested by differences in the stonework in the front elevation and differences in the first floor construction. Differences in the floor construction were also observed. A cobbled floor was discovered in the western room of the Eastern Stable (Stable 2) and a brick floor in the eastern room of the Western Stable (Stable 1). Both floors appear original, although no dating evidence was recovered from within the dismantled floors.