Enfield Archaeological Society (EAS) has published a report on the excavation that its members carried out over two weekends in late April and early May in an area of Broomfield Park adjacent to the ruins of Broomfield House.
The first weekend's dig took place close to the remains of Broomfield House (Photo: Enfield Archaeological Society)
The "dig" was part of the Lottery-funded first phase of the Unlocking Broomfield Park for the Community project. Its purpose was defined by EAS as
To establish the form, date and function of a presumed water feature known from previous archaeological evidence; to establish whether it was connected to other water features known to exist on the site; and to establish the date and nature of its abandonment and infilling.
In the course of the excavation EAS members dug two trenches and two further test pits.
John Cole, Enfield Council's community engagement officer for the Unlocking Broomfield for the Community project, has written a summary of the EAS report on the dig (reproduced below).
There is also an informal description of the first weekend's dig on the EAS website, which includes photographs of the trench and of some of the objects that were discovered.
Summary of Enfield Archaeological Society excavation in Broomfield Park, April/May 2025
Author: John Cole, Engagement Officer, Unlocking Broomfield for the Community project
Cover page of the detailed report on the Broomfield Park excavations
Archaeological Excavation Overview
The report details the findings from an archaeological excavation at Broomfield Park, focusing on a garden 'canal' linked to the Grade II* listed Broomfield House. The excavation aimed to understand the garden's development, layout, and chronology.
- Excavation conducted on April 26-27 and May 3-5, 2025.
- Commissioned as part of the 'Unlocking Broomfield for the Community' initiative.
- Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and included public outreach activities.
Excavation Objectives and Methodology
The excavation aimed to establish the form, date, and function of a presumed water feature and its connections to other features. The methodology included hand excavation and detailed recording of contexts and finds.
- Objectives included understanding the water feature's construction and abandonment.
- Two trenches and two test pits were excavated, with a focus on the water feature's extent and connections.
- Excavation was conducted by hand, with detailed recording using EAS context sheets and digital documentation.
Findings from the Excavation
The excavation revealed a 5.00 m wide ornamental 'canal' with evidence of construction techniques and associated features. The findings suggest the canal was part of a formal garden layout, likely dating to the early eighteenth century.
- The canal was created by cutting into natural brickearth and constructing gravel banks.
- Evidence of a shallow depth suggests it was not intended for significant water supply.
- Finds included pottery and other artifacts, indicating usage and infilling processes over time.
Finds and Artifacts Collected
A variety of finds were collected from the excavation.
- Items of personal adornment included a gold signet ring, fully hallmarked London 1985.
- Objects associated with written communication included a fob seal, likely from the nineteenth century.
- Tools included a cleaver blade and a fragment of a possible knife blade.
- Modern items, such as vessel glass and window glass, were common but not retained.
- Pottery types included London Area Post Medieval Red Earthenware and Chinese Blue and White Porcelain.
- Fragments from various periods, including the eighteenth century and later, were identified.
- Notable finds included a dish rim and a tea bowl with blue decoration.
- Clay tobacco pipes were represented by a partial bowl and stem fragments, indicating usage in the late seventeenth to early nineteenth centuries.
Conservation and Research Implications
The excavated features are integral to understanding the historic garden layout and its significance in British garden design. Further research could enhance knowledge of the garden's development and its connections to broader landscape features.
- No immediate threats to the archaeological resource were identified.
- Further investigation could clarify the garden layout and contribute to garden history.
Positive grass marks observed during excavation indicate potential for additional features to be studied.
Links
Enfield Archaeological Society website
Broomfield House heritage project page on the Enfield Council website
Unlocking Broomfield Park Team announced (Friends of Broomfield Park website 23 May 2025)
Note:
This article was amended at 11am on 4th June to correct the misattribution of the summary report, which was written by John Cole, not EAS.
