SNN63046 - Moat House Hotel, Northampton, Archaeological Excavation of the Swimming Pool Area, July 1998

The area of the new swimming pool at the Moat House Hotel, Northampton, adjacent to King Street, was excavated in advance of development. Earlier deposits had been severely damaged, but two pits of 10th century date attest to late Saxon activity in this north-eastern corner of the early town. In the mid 13th century there was a distinct change in use, with the digging of several much larger pits, presumably as quarry pits to obtain ironstone for building. They had been infilled by the 14th century, when one was sealed by a laid stone surface. By the mid 17th century a garden soil had accumulated over this area. The site lay to the rear of former properties fronting onto King Street, and a steady increase in activity form the late 17th century onward relates to the progressive development of this frontage. The western half of the site was a yard until the late 19th century; it contained three wells and number of pits. The eastern half of the site was occupied by the rear wing of the former No.12 King Street.