During a small open area archaeological investigation carried out at Upton Court on Vale Road in Broadstairs, features indicating later Iron Age activity were identified. These comprised an irregular curvilinear gully with broad, shallow sloping sides and a slight slot in the base, which cut the natural chalk, and patches of what had probably been a continuous surface metalled with small angular flint fragments and pebbles. Because of truncation by later features no clear edges were encountered to determine the original extent of the feature. It is possible that these two features were associated with one another though this was not confirmed stratigraphically. A possible interpretation of the metalled surface is that it represents a hard standing or temporary stop on a possible drove route between North foreland and Ramsgate. Contexts associated with this surface yielded five abraded pot sherds comprising two fine Belgic grog tempered ware and two calcined flint tempered fabric. A late Iron Age date is indicated though it is possible that they were residual. (1)

<1> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2007, Excavations at Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs, Kent: Archaeological Report (Unpublished document). SKE17461.