SDO10424 - Proposed residential development at Newell House, Sherborne, Dorset. Archaeological assessment report

AC Archaeology conducted a desk based assessment on land at Newell House, Sherborne during April 2003 in advance of proposed residential development. This comprised a review of archaeological, listed buildings and other documentary records; a review of cartographic records, and a site inspection. The work revealed that the site includes part of a post-reformation farm complex and dwelling, gentrified during the 18th century by the Toogood family. From c. 1850 the farm passed through a number of different occupants until becoming a private school. In the medieval period the site is likely to have been part of the Sherborne Abbey precinct. It also lies within a proposed llan boundary of the sub-Roman monastery at Lanprobus. However, even if the existence of this dubious enclosure is accepted, the proximity of the Coombe Stream probably reduces the likelihood of any settlement related to an early Christian community being found in the vicinity of Newell House. Two of the structures on the site are listed buildings.