In 2006 an archaeological evaluation was carried out, involving the excavation of eight evaluation trenches covering an area equivalent to 5% of the Bat and Ball car park. Remains of the medieval Hospital of St Lawrence were discovered along with burials that formed a formal cemetery associated with the hospital church.

The site lies along the south side of the Roman road that ran from Canterbury to Dover and encompasses part of what was the medieval Hospital of St Lawrence. Features from the hospital were discovered throughout the trenches with human burial remains found in trench three and some in trench two.

The remains of the post medieval manor house were also found, either parts of the house or an associated garden.

The interim report concuded "The remains associated with the leper hospital form a dataset of regional importance given the location of the institution on the periphery of one of the most important towns in the south-east of England. Despite a large proportion of the medieval
archaeology remaining untouched it was possible to map the outline of four medieval buildings with significant excavation undertaken within two, including the hospital chapel." (1)

Subsequent strip, map and sample excavation in 2010-2011 revelaed more of the site. The remains of a chalk and flint walled building, possibly related to a chapel, were found (AD 1050-1200). Cess pits, quarry pits, a sunken structure and other features were found as well as one of the monastic buildings of the hospital (AD 1200-1500).

During the post medieval periods some of the buildings seem to have remained in use. The former hospital itself was converted into a provate dwelling with a formal garden.. (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2006, St. Lawrence Ground, Bat and Ball Car Park: Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE51919.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2012, St Lawrence Ground, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE51834.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2014, Bat and Ball site 2010-2011, St Lawrence Ground, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Archaeological assessment report (Unpublished document). SKE52255.