The monastic drain associated with the South Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral was excavated during an archaeological evaluation of the South Precincts in advance of development works regarding water management. Other features identified at the site include medieval/post-medieval surfaces, burials from the early medieval/medieval/early post-medieval period (TR 15 NE 1952), and an unusual undated feature containing charred wood (TR 15 NE 1954).

The monastic drain was aligned E-W and was located around 0.50m below ground level; the drain was found to have two weep holes located in its southern side wall, which allowed water to seep into the ground around the drain. These features had later been blocked by two single upright bricks. The drain is visible on the 1165 AD waterworks plan of the site, suggesting it was established during the early phases of construction at the monastery. The original capping of the drain appear to have been replaced during port-medieval/modern landscaping works at the site. Other areas of the drain had been revealed in previous excavations at the site in 2012-13. Probable post-medieval/modern alterations to the drain also included a brick drain which fed into the southern side of the monastic drain.

Other finds associated with the site include Roman tile and building material (thought to be residual), medieval/post-medieval pottery, tile, and brick, alongside silver, copper alloy, lead, iron, flint, and animal bone (all dating from various periods and frequently residual in character). (1)

During an excavation at the site in 2016, the remains of a medieval drain and sections of an associated post-medieval drain were identified. The earliest drain structure was thought to have been constructed by Prior Goldstone II (1495-1517), whilst the later sections were 19th-20th century in date. (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd, 2016, Canterbury Cathedral Water management works: Investigations within the South Precincts Archaeological evaluation report (Unpublished document). SKE52681.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd., 2018, Canterbury Cathedral drainage works: Excavations within the South Precincts: Interim report on archaeological works (Unpublished document). SKE56177.