There is plenty of history in Wallingford and the planned new play area at the Bull Croft Park offers an exciting opportunity to further our understanding of the past. 

Wallingford Town Council engaged RSK ADAS Limited to undertake comprehensive archaeological and geoarchaeological evaluations within the proposed development footprint comprising a new pavilion, play area, steps, bridges and an adult functional gym.

Their work is set to investigate how people used to live within the walled town dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. 

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Under Scheduled Monument Consent, a team of archaeologists have recently been working in Wallingford's Bull Croft Park with a mechanical excavator to record any features or finds of historical interest before the proposed playground build.

ADAS’s archaeological team ran an open day during the archaeological evaluation so locals could see what had been found in the excavated trenches and test pits.

Wallingford Town Councillor, Mr Steve Holder, said many young families were keen to learn about the dig but were also hopeful nothing of major significance would be found and interrupt the "desperately needed updated playground".

thisisoxfordshire: Local families are hoping the dig will not uncover anything that could delay the playground works.

thisisoxfordshire: The dig will look into any historical items of note before a playground is built.

As part of the on-site investigations, members from The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society had the chance to see first-hand what was dug up from under their town and they were able to assist with the work by conducting metal detecting of the excavated soils.

Investigations were completed on April 30th. As part of the archaeological process, the findings from the work will now be analysed by specialists.

Mr Holder said they were hoping to have news of the playground progress by August following South Oxfordshire District Council's 21-day consultation and eight weeks for planning decisions.

"We extend our gratitude for your support and eagerly anticipate sharing our findings with you soon," he said.

"We hope to collaborate with TWHAS and the museum, potentially displaying any discoveries and pertinent information in the museum.

"Additionally, we aim to host a detailed talk on the archaeological aspects of the project in the near future."

Mr Holder said Wallingford already has a rich history - with the perimeter of the Bull Croft Park matching up with the location of the old town walls from the ninth century.

He said stone from the Medieval priory, which is believed to have been located in the Bull Croft Park, of which nothing remains, was used in the construction of Christchurch College in Oxford.

Meanwhile stone and other materials from the major medieval site of Wallingford Castle were used to build Windsor Castle.