Monument record WFL 018 - The Priory, Little Waldingfield

Archaeological monitoring and documentary survey was carried out in advance of the construction of a new pool room at The Priory, Little Waldingfield. The site is recorded on the SMR as a possible monastic site, however the documentary study established that the name ‘The Priory’ had only been assigned to the property in the late 19th century and a site visit established that the supposedly medieval vaulted roof of the cellar was probably no earlier than 16th century. The documentary study identified that the property was owned by a wealthy merchant in the early 16th century, and that he may have been responsible for the fine building work. The field work covered a very small area c.25m square, at least half of which was truncated. However Early Medieval features were found surviving in undisturbed areas, indicating occupation of the site pre-dating any of the documentary or physical evidence (S1).