Medieval field boundary ditches and a pit or possible post-hole were excavated at Willow Farm, Herne Bay during an evaluation in 1999. At least three, possibly four ditches were identified, measuring around 0.45-1.6m in width and 0.12-0.6m in depth, and two, or possibly three, pits had recorded dimensions of 0.3-0.9m in width/diameter, and 0.07-0.64m in depth. One feature is recorded as a pit but may have been the terminus of a ditch.

Finds associated with medieval features at the site included pottery, burnt flint, oyster, mollusc and limpet shell, and medieval roof tile.

A number of undated features including ditches, pits, and post-holes were also identified at the site, and earlier recorded activity was characterised by Late Bronze Age - Early Iron Age settlement features (TR 16 NE 1804) and Roman industrial features (TR 16 NE 1391). After the 15th century, the site appears to have been used for agricultural practices. (1)

Following the evaluation, an excavation took place in 2000 which identified evidence for quarry pits, field drainage ditches, a refuse pit, and a pond. Two phases of activity were identified at the site, the first dating between 1075-1250 AD, and the second dating between 1250-1400 AD.

During the first phase of activity at the site, a series of quarry pits and drainage ditches were cut. The quarry pits were closely associated, with one later being utilised as a refuse pit. Several sub-phases of activity took place during this time, with periods of clay extraction and ditch-cutting continuing to 1250 AD. During one phase of ditch cutting, a series of drainage ditches were cut aligned N-S and E-W across the area.

The second phase of activity was characterised by a series of 12 linear drainage ditches, one of which fed into a rectangular pond at the site. A probable drainage sump was also associated with this phase of activity, characterised by a large pit cutting into one of the drainage ditches.
The rectangular pond measured 14.9m in length, 4.88m in width, and over 1.21m in depth, and continued to be used into the post-medieval period when the site was left as open pasture land.

Finds recovered from the site include a medieval ceramic disc, an iron patten, hone stones, part of an iron knife, and part of a buckle. Environmental finds associated with finds and features include shellfish fragments (whelk, mussel, oyster, cockle, and peppery furrow), cattle, pig, sheep, horse, and cat bone. (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, Archaeological evaluation of Land at Willow Farm, off Hoopers Lane, Broomfield, Herne Bay, Kent. (Unpublished document). SKE54759.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Archaeological excavation at Willow Farm, off Hooper’s Lane, Broomfield, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE56287.