Remains of medieval hunting lodge, Eastgate (County Durham)


Eastgate, Cambokeels © B. Vyner 2007


Eastgate, Cambokeels © B. Vyner 2007


Eastgate, Cambokeels © B. Vyner 2007

These are the grass-covered remains of a 15th century hunting lodge. There is a large enclosure surrounded by grass-covered stone walls. Inside the enclosure the remains of the foundations of several buildings can be seen. In places a ditch can be seen surrounding the site. This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument protected by law. (1)

Roughly rectangular enclosure of collapsed stone walling now turf covered, with ditch and rampart at the western end. Excavation between 1946 and 1951 revealed foundations of a five roomed building, pottery, coins and other material suggesting Medieval occupation between 1430-1460, and later pottery indicating secondary occupation into the 16th century. A supposed chapel site was also examined but no significant finds were made. It was suggested that the site was a hunting lodge of the Bishops of Durham. Mesolithic cores, blades/flakes, scrapers and microlith were also recovered. It is now suggested that the site was not a hunting lodge but the foresters lodge inhabited by Robert Strangeways from 1419 till his death circa 1440. The building was probably used as a store after 1458 when the grazing rights were split up. (12)