19th Century Garden Features in the North Parkland, Hinxton Hall, Hinxton

In May 1996 the Archaeological Field Unit (AFU) of Cambridgeshire County Council carried out an evaluation on land at Hinxton Hall, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire (TL4982/4496). The work was carried out on behalf of The Welcome Trust A previous phase of evaluation in 1993 revealed a possible chalk house platform. Earlier in 1996, observation of seven geotechnical test pits had not revealed any archaeological features. Five trenches with a total length of 125m were opened. Eighteenth century or later garden features containing re-used Welsh roofing slate were uncovered in two trenches, and undated features in a further two. No evidence of additional house platforms was found. From the results of this evaluation, it would seem that the chalk platform found in 1993 is an isolated entity, and no other buildings existed in this part of the Hall grounds. The features indicate that more formal gardens once existed in this part of the Parkland, although their full layout is likely to remain unclear.