Archaeological Evaluation Report: Rosemary Cottage, 126 High Street, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

In December 2024, KDK Archaeology undertook an Archaeological Evaluation at Rosemary Cottage, 126 High Street, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, prior to the development of the site. The evaluation comprised two trial trenches excavated within the footprint of the development. The Archaeological Evaluation at Rosemary Cottage did not reveal any archaeological finds, features or deposits within either of the trial trenches, which were excavated to the natural geology, within the footprint of the houses and part of the garden. The development site was previously an orchard though there were few indications of this utilisation as the roots had a negligible impact on the natural geology despite over 30 trees having been grubbed-out before the evaluation. The thick layer of subsoil suggests the site has not been disturbed for a considerable period of time and the lack of features suggests no human activity/occupation has taken place on the site until postmedieval/modern times. Despite the archaeological potential of the wider area, which has sites/finds dating from prehistory, the site was probably outside any core settlement area predating the postmedieval/modern periods or it lies between widely dispersed features. Consequently, it has not been possible to further any of the stated research aims for this investigation.