An archaeological evaluation was undertaken during March 2023 at West End Gardens, Worcester Cathedral, Worcester (NGR SO 84921 54458). The project was commissioned by Worcester Cathedral, to inform the design of a proposed programme of repair and reinstatement of a collapsed boundary wall. Scheduled Monument Consent for the evaluation was granted subject to archaeological conditions (SMC ref: S00241138). Two test pits were excavated either side of the collapsed section of the boundary wall, at the western end of the garden to No. 13 College Green, in order to evaluate the archaeological potential in advance of remedial work to repair the wall. Two test pits were excavated either side of the collapsed section of the boundary wall, at the western end of the garden to No. 13 College Green, in order to evaluate the archaeological potential in advance of remedial work to repair the wall. The eastern test pit measured 3m x 2m in plan to allow for a step to 1m x 1m, at depth of 1m below present ground level due to health and safety considerations. Trench 2 was excavated to a cumulative depth of 2m below present ground level. Excavation of Trench 2 was ceased at 2m below due to health and safety considerations and did not get to the base of the wall construction level. Trench 2 did, however, identify the 18th century garden soil through which the wall was originally excavated. Above this horizon were a series of dumped garden soils interspersed with pits filled with demolition material, indicating various surface heights as the garden was built up over the last 250 years. Some of the demolition material probably relates to the removal of the prebendary houses in 1845 before the construction of the existing property at No. 13 College Green in 1847. The western test pit measured 1m x 1m in plan and was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, identifying medieval deposits that may have been pit fills. Some painted window glass was recovered from these deposits. Above the medieval horizon was a pit containing glazed roof tiles, which in turn was truncated by the construction cut for the collapsed wall. Later deposits were built up against the wall, and two brick structures were recorded in Trench 1, probably relating to the Dark Alley that connected the north side of the Cathedral with College Green on the western side. The archaeological remains should be regarded as being of national significance, being as they are part of a wider Scheduled Monument and directly related to a Grade II Listed structure. They have the potential to answer research questions relating to the material culture of the Cathedral in the medieval period and possibly the development of the Castle, specifically the location of the outer bailey.
Pete Lovett (Sun,) studied this question.