Classic Time Team Season 6 Episode 7 Beauport Park, Sussex

In this episode of Classic Time Team, the team travels to Beauport Park in Sussex to uncover the history of an abandoned manor house and its grounds. The manor was originally built in the early 16th century and passed through multiple owners before becoming a hospital during World War II. After the war, the property was neglected and left to ruin.

The team begins by surveying the area with ground-penetrating radar and magnetometry to locate potential building foundations, walls, and other structures. They also use aerial photography to get a better understanding of the landscape and any potential features that may be hidden.

Next, the team excavates several trenches to explore the foundations of the manor house and determine the layout of the building. They also find evidence of an earlier building on the site, indicating that the current manor was built on top of an older structure.

As they continue to dig, the team discovers a variety of artifacts that offer insight into the lives of the people who lived and worked on the property. These include a clay pipe, a lead musket ball, and a range of pottery fragments from different time periods.

One of the most interesting findings comes from a trench dug in the kitchen area of the manor house. Here, the team discovers a well-preserved bread oven that was used to bake bread for the household. The oven offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the servants and workers who helped keep the manor running.

In addition to exploring the manor house, the team also investigates the surrounding parkland. Using metal detectors and other tools, they look for evidence of past activity such as hunting, gardening, and leisure activities like games.

Throughout the episode, the team encounters various challenges including bad weather, difficult terrain, and limited access to some areas of the property. However, their hard work pays off as they uncover new information about the history of Beauport Park and the people who lived there.

By the end of the episode, the team has pieced together a more complete picture of the manor house and its surroundings. They have also shed light on the lives of the people who called this place home, and the many factors that contributed to its eventual downfall.