Bankfield Hall and The Coot, Great Urswick, Cumbria: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Building Recording, and Walk-Over Survey

Following a planning application for the development of the Bankfield Hall estate and demolition of The Coot public house and erection of dwellings on the site, a request was made by South Lakeland District Council, following advice from the Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service, for an archaeological investigation of the whole of the proposed development area. This was to comprise a desk-based assessment, building recording of those buildings that would be affected by the development, and walk-over survey of the grounds.

The present village of Great Urswick is undoubtedly of medieval origin and the study area is focussed around an important junction of roads, formerly the site of the village cross and stocks. The proposed development area is dominated by sites relating to Bankfield Hall and its estate, which was certainly in existence from the early 19th century, and buildings on the site of The Coot, which formed part of Cross House farm. A total of 31 sites of archaeological and historical interest were identified within the study area as a result of the desk-based assessment and walk-over survey. Several of these comprised standing buildings, which were recorded as part of the assessment.

The full report is available on the Archaeology Data Service website: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-700-1/dissemination/pdf/greenlan1-101720_1.pdf