Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 1876: summary

Archaeological evaluation and excavation at Bulse Grange, Rookery Lane, Wendens Ambo, Essex CB11 4JT: November 2022
by Dr Elliott Hicks and Laura Pooley (with contributions from Dr Matthew Loughton, Gabrielle Smith, Adam Wightman, Megan Seehra and Alec Wade)

Date report completed: January 2023
Location: Bulse Grange, Rookery Lane, Wendens Ambo, Essex CB11 4JT
Map reference(s): TL 51117 35841
File size: kb
Project type: Evaluation and Excavation
Significance of the results:
Keywords: Wendens Ambo, medieval, post-medieval, prehistoric, roman,

Summary. An archaeological evaluation (two trial-trenches) and subsequent excavation were carried out at Bulse Grange, Rookery Lane, Wendens Ambo, Essex in advance of the construction of a new dwelling. The site lies within the village of Wendens Ambo, which purportedly has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon period, and on the former historic farmstead of Bulse Farm references to which can be found as far back as the late 13th century. Archaeological investigations uncovered the remains of three phases of the historic farmstead, consisting of a medieval wall plinth (Building 1), a post-medieval brick plinth, wall foundation and floor surface (Building 2), and a 19th-20th century outbuilding (Building 3) with at least four separate rooms including one cobbled floor and another of brick, perhaps indicative of a cow shed and milking area. Archaeological investigations also revealed a small scatter of prehistoric flint and a Roman ditch.