Midland Bank, Dartford. TQ 5428 7287. In 1977, the Group received permission from Dartford Borough Council to conduct investigations in an area of land formerly occupied by the premises of Woodman Brothers, scrap merchants. The second area to be excavated was the site of recently demolished warehouse, situated at the rear of Midland Bank. This building had been used by Woodman Brothers for the storage of rags. Traces of a Medieval structure, built at right angles to the High Street were located, and it was seen that the building that had rested on these ancient foundations was long and narrow, built of mortared chalk and flint, with timber-framed walls and a tiled roof. The foundations had been partially destroyed when a trench for a sewer pipe was dug, running north south, and also by the sinking of numerous rubbish pits. The largest of these pits contained material likely to have come from a nearby public house or inn. This material, which dated from the mid-18th century, included shattered wine bottles, with one almost complete bottle, clay tobacco pipes and domestic pottery (1).

<1> Rediscovering Dartford, Dart Dist Arch Grp (1986) 28,29 fig,50. (OS Card Reference). SKE49118.