Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire. Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire: The Italian Gardens Trentham Gardens, Trentham, Stafforshire Works for a new Garden Centre and Italianate Gardens Restoration.

In May 2001 the Oxford Archaeological Unit (OAU) undertook a rapid assessment of the ground floor/basement of the main house at Trentham Hall, near stoke-on-Trent (NGR SJ 866 409). Examination of the single open passage in the western end of the range of structures found that the remaining elements of the ground floor/basement appeared to have been infilled with brick rubble, probably during the demolition of the upper storeys of the Hall in 1912. The passage that remined accessible was generally in good condition, with brick walls and vaulted ceilings. Some damage to the vaults was visible in places.

From March to May 2004, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an archaeological watching brief at Trentham Gardens, Trentham in Staffordshire (NGR SJ 866 409). The work was commissioned by St Modwen Developments Ltd, in advance of restoration works at the site of the Italianate Gardens, the construction of a new Garden Centre and the realignment of Longton Brook.
The watching brief revealed a network of drainage structures/soak-aways and pipes beneath the Italianate Gardens and the remains of brick structures surrounding the extant fountains. Fragmentary evidence of brick walls may hint that the gardens were terraced previously. The make-up bank deposits in the area of Longton Brook were observed and included layers of construction debris, probably left when the Children’s Cottage was built here. Drainage structures and soil layers were observed in the area of the new Garden Centre. All of the structures and layers were of 18th/19th or 20th century date.

Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out a field evaluation within the Italian Gardens at Trentham Gardens, Trentham, staffordshire (NGR SJ 866 409) on behlaf of St Mowden Developments. The purpose of the evaluation works was to investigate and provide information regarding the construction and current state of preservation of paths and steps that formed part of the original nineteenth century Italian gardens as designed by Charles Barry. These works were required to inform a programme of restoration works being undertaken within the gardens. The evaluation has provided detailed information regarding the survival, extent and construction methods and materials used relating to both the former (nineteenth century) and presently exisiting paths and steps within the Italian Gardens.