The exceptionally large (8 acre) moated site at Woking Palace (Scheduled Ancient Monument No 12752) was the manor house of the Royal manor of Woking from at least 1272. During the following 200 years it was granted to and often occupied by those close to the throne, including the Despencers (it was moated by the time of their execution in 1326), the Earls of Kent and Somerset, and Lady Margaret Beaufort (the mother of Henry VII) who lived there with her third husband.  In 1503 its status was further enhanced when Henry VII decided to develop the property as a Palace, and it continued to be favoured and developed under the Tudors.  Its remains include well-preserved moats, ruined and standing structures, and fishponds, all set within a 590 acre deerpark started in the 13th century and enlarged repeatedly up to the time of Henry VIII.  Some limited archaeology has taken place, but it is as yet impossible to tell a coherent story of the development of this royal complex.

The quality of the site has been very well expressed in the Scheduled Monument entry:

‘Woking Palace is of particular importance because of its excellent survival, high diversity, enormous archaeological potential both on the island itself and in the waterlogged moats and particularly because of its historical association with royalty and the amenity value which is afforded by this association.’

The project

The project has run for  four summer seasons of excavation over a period of four years.  However, activities both before (eg historical research, topographical, standing building, geophysical and other surveys) and after (eg processing and study of finds and records, communicating the results) are of equal importance.  A variety of other activities, such as exploration of the landscape context of the site, art and photographic competitions, study days and courses may also be organised.

            In the longer term it is anticipated that the project will provide much improved public interpretation for the Palace, both on and off site, and that it will become much more of a focal point for appreciation of the heritage by the local community.  The work will also be of considerable value in a wider historical context, not least for an understanding of the development of a royal household from the 13th to 16th centuries, linking and enhancing the knowledge gained in recent years from detailed study of the 13th century Palace at Guildford and the Tudor Palaces of Nonsuch and Oatlands.

2012 excavation

The 2012 season of excavation has now been completed with Rob Poulton of SCC Heritage Enterprises directing the excavations and Andrew Francis of Surrey Archaeological Society leading on-site finds processing.  An initial interim report by Rob Poulton will be published in a forthcoming issue of the Society's Bulletin. 

Abby Guinness (Surrey's Community Archaeology Officer) ran a Community Archaeology Programme for those with less than 5 days of practical archaeological experience which offered the chance to experience digging for a day. Abby's contact details are education.scau@surreycc.gov.uk or Tel. 01483 518737.

In addition the Society offered new members the chance to join the dig for a period of two to six days to gain experience under the supervision of  a mentor.

Weekly reports of the excavations can be accessed at www.woking-palace.org and Abby has posted daily reports and photographs on the 'Digging Surrey's Past' facebook page which can be accessed at

http://www.facebook.com/diggingsurreyspast.  If you are a Facebook user, search for Digging Surrey's Past: if not, this link will take you to the WPAP photo album http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.355095241240859.87659.177606492323069&type=3&l=146b133efd

Post excavation finds processing is taking place at the Surrey History Centre; members of the Society who would like to help with this should contact Abby Guinness (contact details above).

An application has been made by the Friends of Woking Palace to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant for a new three year project called 'Woking Palace & its Park'. The formal decision on this is due in March 2013.