In 2003 Museum of London Archaeology Service carried out an evaluation. A Late Iron Age enclosure with pits and post holes was found. (1)

In 2007 Archaeology South-East carried out a second phase of evaluation. Further evidence of Late Iron Age and Roman occupation and a field system were found. (2)

The site was excavated by Oxford Archaeology in 2009. The first period of activity evidenced dated to the Late Iron Age. A large enclosure contained pits and a four post structure. This enclosure was replaced in the early 1st century AD when the ditches were recut or replaced. This second enclosure contained intercutting pits. Large quantities of pottery were recovered from the ditches which appear to have gone out of use a few decades after the Roman conquest. The pottery included imported wares, but it appears that the site was a lower status rural site. (3-4)

<1> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 2003, Leybourne Grange Hospital, Birling Road, Leybourne: An archaeological evaluation report (Unpublished document). SKE12966.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2008, An Archaeological Evaluation on Land at Leyborune Grange, Birling Road, Leybourne, West Malling, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE24358.

<3> Oxford Archaeology, 2010, Leybourne Grange, Maidstone, Kent: Post Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE24357.

<4> Oxford Archaeology, 2011, A late Iron Age and Roman settlement at Leybourne Grange, West Malling, Kent: Publication Report (Unpublished document). SKE24359.