Site Event/Activity record ECH6872 - Archaeological Watching Brief Report: Red Lion Hotel, Malpas

An Archaeological Watching Brief was carried out in 2019 at the Red Lion Hotel, Malpas, monitoring re-development within the site. The Watching Brief followed on from an earlier evaluation in 2018 (ECH6575), undertaken within the car park and gardens of the pub, as part of a planning condition. The site lies within the historic Medieval core of Malpas, falling in both the Malpas Conservation Area and the Malpas Area of Archaeological Potential. A possible Roman road lies to the immediate west of the site. The Watching Brief did not encounter any Prehistoric or Roman deposits. A rock cut well which extended to depths of at least 11m was uncovered below an area previously used for outdoor seating. No dateable evidence was collected associated with this feature, however, the well is not marked on any of the 19th or early 20th century historic mapping which may suggest it is of some antiquity. Examination of the internal fabric of the former Red Lion Hotel during renovation work revealed several surviving elements to the original early Post Medieval timber-framed building at both ground floor and first floor level. A Post Medieval red brick wall associated with an early structure seen on the 1840 tithe map was uncovered in the east of the site, as well as, areas of domestic dumping and pits below the demolished structure of the Red Lion Pub. These deposits contained 18th- 20th century ceramic, glass and clay tobacco pipe. (1)