PCA Durham was invited to undertake two weeks of excavation works at Hardwick Park, a Grade II listed park created by John Burdon in the 18th century. Hardwick Park comprises a lake, serpentine river, a cascade, a number of garden buildings and a circuit walk. The parkland landscape underwent restoration between 1994 and 2010 and a plan for further restoration works has been developed by The Friends of Hardwick Park working in partnership with Durham County Council and Ramside Estates to investigate and ultimately restore/rebuild the Bath and Banqueting Houses. The works were funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sir James Knott Trust. The primary objective of the recent works comprised targeted community archaeological excavation to establish the survival and extent of two buildings, the results of which will feed into further stages of architectural and engineering design work as well as costing exercises. PCA Durham supervised the excavations undertaken by the local community volunteers and produced a report on the results of the work.

The works have provided key structural information on construction materials and the extent, depth and archaeological potential of the remains of the mid-18th century Bath and Banqueting House structures. The location of architectural fragments recovered from the demolition deposits were recorded and a photographic catalogue maintained of each fragment. Evidence for the phases of construction and use of each building was identified with particular focus on the remains of the central plunge pool and its water system within the Bath House and also the function of the rear rooms in the Banqueting House.

Along with the archaeological and architectural significance of the project data, the site of the Bath and Banqueting Houses hold value for a number of different communities and groups such as historic landscape enthusiasts, community volunteer groups, visitors to Hardwick Hall (a Grade II listed structure) or Hardwick Park, local residents and students of all ages. The community archaeological investigation was deemed to have been an overall success as it engaged volunteers and provided them opportunities for basic training in archaeological surveying, excavation, finds processing and trench reinstatement.

Two workshops were run in advance of the excavations to present the volunteers with the background to the project, the planned works, what work they would be expecting to undertake and excavation/recording techniques. Following the completion of the excavation and reporting a third workshop took place presenting the results of the excavation work along with a question/answer session and finds table.

The results of the excavations have been provided to the client and stakeholders in the form of a grey literature report.