The Avenue

The Avenue leading to Scadbury Manor House

“The Avenue” refers to the original approach to the Manor House leading up to the drawbridge over the moat. For many years grassed over, hidden underneath lies a former surface which was revealed by excavation.

The avenue excavation

The avenue excavation

Since 2007, we have been excavating the entrance avenue which runs from the (fallen) Tudor brick arch to the entrance (via a bridge, no longer present) to the moated buildings: only their foundations remain. It is about 3.5 metres wide and 23 metres long (plus a 1930s-built concrete replacement length).

Digging the Avenue

Digging the Avenue

The excavated avenue surface is found to be edged by red and by yellow bricks, and is made of patterned cobbles and yellow bricks set on a layer of gravel, which is itself bedded on a layer of very large flints. Inside a central strip defined by two lines of yellow bricks, it is believed that paving stones were formerly laid, but have been robbed out, probably in Victorian times.

Digging the Avenue

Digging the Avenue

The yellow bricks are Dutch bricks fired from river mud, probably from the river IJssel, which were popular in the middle 17th century for paving.

Plan drawing of the Avenue

Plan drawing of the Avenue

Unfortunately, however, the bricks do not permit close dating and we are still seeking confirmation of this dating from our further excavations. In 1659, Sir Richard Bettenson purchased Scadbury from the Walsinghams, and is known to have spent £800 on improvements after his purchase.

Sectional Drawing of the Avenue

Sectional Drawing of the Avenue

Excavations in progress seen from the moat side

The Avenue Excavation in Progress

The Avenue Excavation in Progress