Description

In March 2006 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’ at the site of Hooke Court, Hooke, near Beaminster, Dorset (NGR 353125 100375), to investigate the remains of a medieval moated manor.
The primary aims of the evaluation were to investigate the surviving western wing of the house and to find evidence of a north range of buildings, demolished in 1965. The project also aimed to identify the earliest structures within the moated area and to look for evidence of buildings constructed c.1344 when a licence to crenellate was issued. The original access to the site was also explored, and the remains of the moat.
The results of the evaluation demonstrated that the surviving west wing and the now demolished north wing had their origins in the 14th or 15th century and had seen much alteration including major building works in the 17th century. Analysis of the photographic and map evidence showed that the original access to the moated complex was through a gatehouse in the northern range. A blocked archway was identified leading out to the road positioned to the north of Hooke Court.