This report presents the results of a geophysical survey that was carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) as part of an agri-environment scheme application on land at Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, Devon. The work was carried out under Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) SL00234773. The desk-based assessment followed the guidance that is outlined in: Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (CIfA 2020); and Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessments in a Planning and Development Context (English Heritage 2012). The geophysical survey followed the guidance that is outlined in: Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey (CIfA 2020); and EAC Guidelines for the Use of Geophysics in Archaeology: Questions to Ask and Points to Consider (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium/European Archaeological Council 2016). A desk-based analysis of LiDAR data identified 71 features of prehistoric to modern origin across the site, some of which are already recorded and are designated as heritage assets, though the majority of these features are associated with boundaries and with paths/tracks that are likely to be of post medieval or modern origin. The geophysical survey identified 35 groups of anomalies that comprised c.300 anomalies, of which c.232 anomalies were discrete anomalies that are associated with possible tree throws or with other similar features. The most noteworthy aspects of the geophysical survey results are: the presence of an internal curvilinear feature within the inner enclosure of the SAM; the absence of other clear and distinct anomalies within the inner enclosure of the SAM; some improved clarity regarding the earthworks and the potential enclosures between the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure of the SAM; a possible ring ditch that may indicate a prehistoric structure between the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure of the SAM; relict field systems that appear to be associated with historic boundaries; and possible tree throws that appear to be associated with the wooded nature of parts of the site as depicted on historic mapping. These anomalies cannot generally be dated, though it is likely that many of the curving anomalies that are associated with the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure of the SAM are either contemporary with the hillfort or respect and are associated with later modifications to the hillfort. It is not impossible that some ditches and a possible structural ring ditch predate the hillfort. It is also possible that some aspects of the site are associated with the medieval period and with the civil war era, though the majority of the features appear to be associated with post medieval enclosure, with woodland, and with possible park management/design. It is recommended that further archaeological works in the form of ground truthing of remote sensing data via walkover survey and targeted intrusive archaeological works outside of the currently Scheduled area are undertaken. The latter would test the efficacy and the validity of the results of the geophysical survey and it would aid to confirm the presence or the absence of any archaeological resource on the site.
Bampton et al. (Wed,) studied this question.