Priory Gardens, Priest Lane, Cartmel, Cumbria: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

Following discussions between the client and English Heritage, Greenlane Archaeology was commissioned to carry out an archaeological desk-based assessment ahead of a proposed programme of alterations to an area of land known as Priory Gardens, at Priest Lane, Cartmel. This was to identify any known archaeological remains and assess the potential for as yet unknown archaeological remains to be present within the area.

The site is close to the priory church of Cartmel and forms part of the wider Scheduled Monument area associated with the Priory. The Priory was established in the late 12th century and medieval building remains thought to relate to the Priory, as well as evidence for late post-medieval and modern usage of the site, were partially excavated in 1998. Although the chances of encountering undisturbed archaeological deposits within the areas targeted by this earlier work are greatly diminished, it is very likely that the rest of the site will contain artefacts and features covering a variety of periods, chiefly from the medieval period onwards. As part of a Scheduled Monument, which comprises several open areas in Cartmel thought to relate to the medieval priory, Priory Gardens contains archaeological remains of national importance. The summerhouse in the north corner is also a Grade II Listed building and therefore also of at least regional importance. Few excavations have been carried out within the confines of priory precincts and since medieval remains are known to be present on the site, further archaeological work is recommended.

The full report is available on the Archaeology Data Service website: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-700-1/dissemination/pdf/greenlan1-133225_1.pdf