The Old Rectory, Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire. Watching Brief (OASIS ID: heritage1-213026)

In response to a planning condition on the construction of a single storey orangery to the west elevation of the existing dwelling at The Old Rectory, Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire, the Heritage Network was commissioned by the owner to undertake a programme of archaeological monitoring of the groundworks. It was considered that the present investigation had the potential to contribute to a greater understanding of the origins and development of Stocking Pelham, and of the moated site of The Old Rectory. The monitoring of the groundworks revealed that the ground level was probably reduced for the construction of The Old Rectory in the 17th century. The footings to the west wall of the house and the south wall of the adjacent outbuilding were exposed during the course of the groundworks, demonstrating that both buildings sat directly on the natural clay. A brick-lined well, dating from the Victorian period, was exposed in the northern half of the site. The well had been covered in the modern period by a square brick structure with a metal cover. No features, finds or deposits dating from earlier than the post-medieval period were encountered in the course of the project.