Townhead Farm Melmerby, Cumbria. Archaeological Building Investigation and Evaluation Report

programme of archaeological recording at Townhead Farm, Melmerby, near Penrith,
Cumbria (NY 6162 3723) in advance of a residential development. The work involved the
implementation of a fabric survey of the existing farm buildings prior to their demolition
and conversion, and an evaluation beneath the new build developments to investigate
underlying sub-surface remains. The work was undertaken in September and November
2002 and was in accordance with a project design by OA North, which was based on a
verbal brief by Helena Smith of Cumbria County Council Archaeology Service.
The fabric survey was undertaken to RCHM(E) level 2 standards, resulting in the
production of a ground plan, by means of enhancement of an architects plan, a
photographic record, and a detailed description of the structure. The investigation was
intended to explore the relationships between different parts of the building in order to
establish a general chronology of its development and main uses. The evaluation involved
the excavation of three trenches, two 5m long and one 10m long, by means of mechanical
and manual techniques. Two of the trenches were to the west of the farm courtyard where
two detached buildings were to be built and the third was beneath the east range, which
was part demolished to accommodate a new build structure.