Sidmouth Church of St Giles and St Nicholas, Sidmouth, Devon. Results of an Archaeological Monitoring & Recording. (OASIS ID: southwes1-204395)

This report presents the results of an archaeological monitoring and recording carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) at the Church of St Giles and St Nicholas, Sidmouth, Devon during ground works associated with an extension for welfare purposes on the north side of the tower and improved and associated drainage. A substantial amount of ground disturbance had occurred through the 19th and 20th centuries. Similarities of foundations in the north aisle to earlier identified interior foundations may indicate that the original c.14th century north aisle was longer than originally thought and indicates that the foundations were reused when the north aisle was rebuilt in the late 19th century. Graves that pre-date the 15th century builds of the church appear to be on a more north-east by south-west alignment compared to the later burials, which include late 18th-mid 19th century 'barrel tombs'. These tombs are associated with weathered plaques on the north-west buttress of the tower (transcripts of the inscriptions are held by the church). Similar examples were uncovered in earlier excavations within the church. As discovered in the south transept in earlier archaeological work, infant burials are associated by close proximity to the structure of the church with at least one intact example by the north aisle and another of re-deposited remains against the tower. Other than the northern section of the footing trench, the new extension to the church will leave archaeological features intact as the level of formation was within made-ground layers or on the horizon with the buried subsoil. The arched tops of the 'barrel tombs' were removed and the tombs capped over, leaving the remains within undisturbed.