Archaeological evaluation at Forty Hall, Enfield

Northamptonshire Archaeology undertook archaeological evaluation at Forty Hall, Enfield within the Pleasure Grounds surrounding the Hall and in an area of grassland to the north of the present car park. Trenches in the Pleasure Grounds identified the presence of former paths on the mound to the west of Top Lake, the depth and infill of a former pond at the south-east corner of the grounds along with evidence of post-infilling water management. No conclusive evidence was found of features located on the Circuit Path within the Pleasure Grounds. Geophysical survey and trial trenches in grass to the north of the present car park did not identify significant archaeological remains or artefacts. A basic topographic survey was carried out within the gardens and assessment was made of the edging to Top Lake. The evaluation at Forty Hall has established that elements of designed landscaping within the Pleasure Grounds, known now only from documents, survive within the ground as buried features.