Monument record TR 15 NE 2567 - Possible garden features associated with Bifrons House

A number of cropmark features are visible in the vicinity of the former site of Bifrons House on air photographs taken July 16th 2001. They include a series of rectilinear enclosures sharing the same broad alignment as the house, the largest being up to 90 metres across. A circular feature at TR 18755505, circa 20 metres in diameter resembles a Bronze Age ring ditch. However, it is centrally located along the southern (external) side of the largest rectilinear enclosure, and a tree-lined avenue to the north of the house also appears to be aligned on it. What appears to be a tree enclosure ring is visible in this approximate location on the 1877 Ordnance Survey 25 inch map. A painting of c1705 to 1710, attributed to Jan Siberechts, shows the formal garden, the arrangement of walled enclosures agreeing well with the cropmarks, although nothing appears at the approximate location of the ring ditch/tree enclosure. (1-3)

<1> 2001, Oblique aerial photograph (Photograph (Print)). SKE58743.

<2-3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1990, Canterbury's Archaeology 1988-1989 (Monograph). SKE6722.