Turf Tavern Oxford

In July 2014, Oxford Archaeology (OA) was commissioned by ADS Design to
undertake an archaeological evaluation at The Turf Tavern, Oxford (SP 517 065).
The evaluation comprised three small trenches, two of which were excavated
against the northern wall of the terrace garden to the rear (east) of the property, and
one against the eastern wall of the same area. The northern wall is on the projected
line of an abortive late 13th century attempt to apply the principles of concentric
castle architecture to the north-eastern corner of the defences of Oxford - with an
outer curtain wall being constructed along the inner edge of the partially backfilled
City ditch which then appears to have been re-cut further to the north and east. The
evaluation revealed evidence for a substantial earlier wall on the same line as the
existing wall of the terrace garden. This may either represent the late-13th century
outer curtain wall itself, or a later wall built off it. There was also evidence that a
section of this wall had been re-built during a re-configuration of the garden in the
19th century.The earliest deposit encountered was within a series of augered boreholes in the
base of the trenches adjacent to the north wall, and this was fairly consistent in
composition in both. Given that the boreholes penetrated below the anticipated
elevation of the natural gravel, it seems likely that this deposit was filling a negative
feature and if - as the similarity in composition would suggest - the deposits within
the boreholes are of the same origin, this may indicate that the feature was linear. It
is possible that this feature represents the construction cut for the outer curtain wall
although - as indicated above - other excavations along the line of the wall would
suggest that it was constructed within the southern edge of the earlier ditch. It is
therefore possible that the deposits encountered within the boreholes represent
backfill along the edge of, and within, the City ditch, which has then been re-cut to
the north following the construction of the outer curtain wall in the late-13th century.
However, the relationship between this possible feature and the structural remains
within the trenches against the northern wall of the terrace garden was uncertain,
and further characterisation of the possible feature or close dating of the structures
was not possible within the confines of the trenches.
Some evidence was recovered for an earlier courtyard surface overlying this
deposit. The surface comprised limestone 'cobbles' and a linear configuration of
kerb stones marking its northern extent.
Overlying this surface, the majority of the deposits excavated within the trenches
strongly suggested that the creation of the existing terrace was the result of a phase
of landscaping in the 19th century. Some evidence was recovered for a possible
brick surface