EDO4081 - Unitarian Meeting House (Holles Hall), Colliton Street, Dorchester; casual observation 1718 or 1719

When the foundations to the Unitarian Meeting House, later Holles Hall, in Pease Lane (now Colliton Street), Dorchester were dug in 1718 or 1719, a large cavity was discovered cut into the chalk, apparently leading from the castle to the town, a smaller cavity on each side. All were very deep. This observation appears to have been first reported by Hutchins (1) and repeated by later sources (2) (3) (4). The precise character of the 'cavities' is unclear. They may be part of the Castle defences but the angle appears wrong, perhaps suggesting an entrance here (5). The location and history of the Meeting House are discussed by Draper (5).