A key mystery of the National Trust’s Stourhead Estate was the location of the predecessor of Stourhead House, known as Stourton Castle or Old Stourton House. Only a single drawing survives and this shows a great medieval residence to have been the size of a Lacock Abbey.

In July this year, following clues from historic maps and geophysical survey, National Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth with a team of volunteers, excavated a group of trenches in the parkland in front of Stourhead House.

Would Stourton Castle be revealed in the 10 days available? Despite all the earlier research; success was not guaranteed.

This talk will provide the background to the search for Stourton Castle and then consider what the archaeological trenches eventually revealed.

Tickets: £7 (£4.50 WANHS members; £3 students) – booking essential.

Date: Saturday 25 November

Time: Start 2.30 pm

Location: Wiltshire Museum (we are not able to make this a 'hybrid' event)

Terms and Conditions
Unless sold out, online bookings will close at 9 am on the day of the event.
Booking for events
Cancellations, Refunds and T&Cs
No responsibility can be accepted by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Society) for accidents or injury sustained during the course of any event arranged by the Society.

image (c) Wiltshire Museum (DZSWS:1982.7954, by Wheatley, W W (artist); Aubrey, J)