The Duke of Wellington Public House, South Barrier Bank, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire

During September 2014, Oxford Archaeology East carried out an excavation on the site of the former Duke of Wellington public house, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire (TF 34958 00657). This was in advance of the strengthening and upgrading of the South Barrier Bank, upon which the pub once stood. This bank forms the southern side of the Whittlesey Washes flood storage reservoir and at this point the bank is situated just to the south of the canalised route of the River Nene, known as Morton's Leam.
The excavation has shown that the original pub was built during the 19th century, in two phases. The first phase was timber framed, with brick in-fill. The later phase involved an extension to the rear, with substantial walls, to support the weight of the bank. This ultimately appears to have failed as the pub was demolished in the early 20th century, and re-built just to the south, away from the bank. The new building was in turn demolished after it went out of use.
Finds recovered include post-medieval pottery and glass, along with ceramic building material, largely of 19th century date.