Oakham Castle
Archaeology & Surveys
There have been several archaeological investigations at Oakham Castle over the years. Details of those most significant with links to reports can be found below.
Peter Gathercole, from the University of London, carried out an excavation between 1953 and 1954. The works were undertaken on behalf of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, Ministry of Works. The investigation took place during the demolition of a number of houses to the south of the bailey between Castle Lane and Market Square to construct a new Head Post Office.
The results of this investigation can be seen in Appendix B, Pg 49 in John Barber’s Oakham Castle and its archaeology
John Barber's Oakham Castle and its archaeology (rutlandhistory.org)
John Barber undertook excavations to the east of the Great Hall (castle’s kitchen) in 1956-1957. The work was done with the help of boys from Oakham School, while he was a master at the school. Barber did not write a report at the time, but he did write extensive notes some 20 years later. The Rutland Local History & Record Society published this as a report with annotations and additions in 2014.
The report was compiled and edited by Elaine Jones and Robert Ovens.
https://rutlandhistory.org/pdf/oakham-castle.pdf
John Barber excavation – Castle’s kitchen
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned in 2014 to undertake a programme of archaeological recording and post-excavation work on the archaeological evaluation undertaken by Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’. The report can be found on Archaeology Data Service.
University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS ) undertook surveys at Oakham Castle during a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) project to undertake extensive restoration work throughout the castle, with improvements to visitor facilities, access and interpretation. This would include the restoration of the medieval Great Hall, the construction of a new toilet block, restoration of parts of the curtain walls, new interpretation boards, a new metal fence, new drainage and other groundworks and improved access to the Great Hall, Motte and adjacent car park. The work was carried between 2015 and 2017.
The report can be found on the Archaeological Data Service.
University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) have run two community archaeology digs at Oakham Castle. This work was also undertaken as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project.
The most recent dig took place between 10th and 25th June 2019. You can read The Interim Report for the 2018 dig here.
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