Simpsons Maltings 45 The Vineyard Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Oxford Archaeology has undertaken a programme of archaeological survey and recording on a late 18th / early 19th century townhouse and a mid 19th century maltings at the above address, during their refurbishment and conversion to hostel accommodaton. The house, lattery used as offices and worker's accommodation, was worthy of note on account of it's high status exterior and its well preserved attic and basement service areas, notably the servant's bedrooms, kitchen, scullery, coolroom/ panty and wine and coal cellars. The three-story brick built maltings, dated to between 1864 and 1874, had also been convereted to workers accommodation during the 1950's. It still retained significant elements from its primary use in particular two growing floors, hoist, malt kiln and steeping tank. Vestigial evidence remained relating to barley/malt storage on the second floor, chutes between the floors, blocked taking-in doors and, adjacent to the steeping tank, the area in which the steeped malt was couched.