Digital Archive from an Archaeological Excavation at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, County Durham, August 2022

This collection comprises images and CAD data from an an archaeological excavation of the 18th-century Bath and Banqueting Houses in Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, County Durham. Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by The Friends of Hardwick Park, to undertake this work in August 2022. The Friends of Hardwick Park, working in partnership with Durham County Council and the Ramside Estate, developed a project to investigate and ultimately restore/rebuild the Bath and Banqueting Houses. The funds for this first phase of works have been raised from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Sir James Knott Trust to support a small community led project to partially excavate the Bath and Banqueting Houses at Hardwick Park.The primary objective of the works comprised targeted community archaeological excavation to establish the survival and extent of the two buildings. Seven trenches were excavated at the site targeting both the Bath and Banqueting Houses. The works have provided key structural information on construction materials and the extent, depth and archaeological potential of the remains of both mid-18th century structures. The location of architectural fragments recovered from the demolition deposits were recorded and a photographic catalogue maintained of each fragment. Along with the archaeological and architectural significance of the project data, the site of the Bath and Banqueting Houses hold value for a number of different communities and groups such as historic landscape enthusiasts, community volunteer groups, visitors to Hardwick Hall or Hardwick Park, local residents and students of all ages. The community archaeological investigation was deemed to have been an overall success as it engaged volunteers and provided them opportunities for basic training in archaeological surveying, excavation, finds processing and trench reinstatement.