In 2009 the Trust for Thanet Archaeology carried out a watching brief. Three large pits were found. The pits are aligned with the present day St Peter’s Footpath and their size and shape suggest that they contained upright posts for a substantial timber framed structure, possibly some sort of agricultural building. A long narrow building constructed with its long axis parallel to St Peter’s Footpath is shown located in the approximate position of the site on the tithe map of 1841. The artefacts recovered from within the pits suggest that the roof of the structure was originally tiled and that the tiles and perhaps the building may originally date from as early as 1550 AD. The presence of clay pipe, mica-schist hone and the fragment of slate pencil preserve a tiny remnant of the human lives associated with this building. The ditch and associated hollow are associated with a late 19th century phase of occupation which may relate to features within a garden that was located on the site prior to the construction of the school. (1)

No structure or road is shown in the area on the Ordnance Survey mapping of 1797. The 1st edition OS map shows trees planted in the grounds of Retreat Villa along the boundary with St Peter's Footpath.

<1> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2009, Drapers Mills Primary School, St Peter's Footpath, Margate: Archaeological Investigation Report (Unpublished document). SKE18024.