Merstham Community Archaeology Project

Following successful WEA and Family Learning sessions in Merstham in summer 2008, Raven Housing Trust granted funds to create an interpretation board for the site of Albury Manor, a scheduled monument found behind the library.

Surrey County Council's Community Archaeologist has been working with various groups to find out more about the site, the house, the families who lived there, and about medieval life in Merstham.

Each group involved in the project has helped to design an exhibition panel on a topic, and from this the overall interpretation board for the site will be drafted.


So far the project has involved the following groups:

•Merstham WEA researched the origins of Albury Manor, which involved archive trips to Canterbury Cathedral, the National Archives and the British Library

•Merstham Guides looked at Medieval food, and designed their panel on top of the moated site

•Rubbings were taken of the historic brasses at St. Katherine’s Church. The grave brasses relate to members of the families which once lived at Albury Manor. Photographs were taken of a stone lintal which is said to have come from the chapel at Albury Manor

•Furzefield Primary School visited the site, and looked into Medieval art

•Merstham Youth Forum had a Medieval Feast night, and dressed up in costumes from the Surrey Arts Wardrobe for the occasion!

•Route 4 at the Oakley Centre participated in a 6-week Introduction to Archaeology course. It involved looking into the history of Merstham, and measuring and recording the earthworks left behind since the buildings of the manor were demolished in 1750

The exhibition panels and interpretation board are being developed now. More details will follow shortly.

For more information about how to get involved in this and other projects in Surrey please contact Abby Guinness, Community Archaeologist, tel: 01483 518772 or email: abby.guinness@surreycc.gov.uk∞.

Find out more: Visit the Surrey County Council Community Archaeology∞ pages

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