During an archaeological excavation on land off Canterbury Road West, near Cliffsend, Thanet a small number of Medieval features and finds were observed. The low number of features datable to this period contrasts with the high numbers from sites nearby, suggesting that the focus of Medieval activity is to the south. The medieval phase is represented at this site by residual pottery from pits from within the centre of the Proposed Development Area.

The small number of Medieval features within the Proposed Development Area is in complete contrast to that revealed during the archaeological investigation at Cottington Road, where a substantial settlement comprising a minimum of six buildings within a series of enclosures and associated features, comprising pits and linear features and a poached soil. Artefacts within the buildings suggest a domestic/agrarian use, whereas the artefacts, including sword pommels and high status personal accoutrements from the poached soil suggest the presence of a manor within very close proximity. Also present was a post and flint structure, comprising two linear flint deposits or mounds, set with reinforcing timber posts and interpreted as part of a medieval sea defense, and a vast quantity of oyster shell, suggesting the presence of a shell fishing industry. Cottington Road ceased sometime before AD 1400 and the medieval terminal date for Canterbury Road West is c. 1375. In addition, the sparsity of medieval oyster shell in the Proposed Development Area would imply that the suggested seafood industry at Cottington Road did not extend beyond the lower confines of Foads Hill. The sparsity of the Medieval features at Canterbury Road West is in line with the scarcity of Medieval archaeology beyond the large settlement at Cottington Road, suggested by the results of the investigations along the route of the East Kent Access Road and during the Thanet Parkway evaluation. A single Medieval ditch was found in Zone 12 of the East Kent Access Road and there was a total absence of Medieval remains during the Thanet Parkway evaluation (summarised from source) (1)

<1> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2023, Archaeological Excavations At Land East Of 40 Canterbury Road West, Cliffsend, Thanet, Kent (phase 1) Post Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE56628.