The Castle Inn, Castle Street, Cambridge: An Archaeological Assessment

In August and October 1994 the Archaeological Field Unit of Cambridgeshire County Council was commissioned by Simon Merrett, Architect, acting on behalf of Adnams Brewery, to carry out an archaeological assessment in advance of development at the rear of the Castle Inn, Castle Street, Cambridge. A test pit revealed pottery dating from the 13th century to the present, post-medieval features, together with building debris and domestic refuse. It is possible that a medieval floor layer or wall foundation was reached in the bottom of the test pit but the area opened was too small to allow precise identification. Archaeological deposits continued beyond the base of the test pit. In spite of the limited scope of the work undertaken on this occasion there was good evidence that the boreholes encountered the line and western edge of the Castle Ditch to the rear of the present building. The western edge of the ditch appears to rise up towards the back wall of the castle Inn whilst the greatest depth reached, 4m, was beneath the present garden. The bottom of the ditch and eastern edge were not encountered.