Medieval manor site revealed to the public
VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS EXCAVATED SITE OVER COURSE OF EIGHT YEARS
AFTER eight years of excavation by volunteers and with the help of a £38,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, a medieval manor house site was due to open as a tourist attraction today.
Croxton Kerrial Manor House is believed to have been home to lords of the manor of Croxton from the 12th to the 14th centuries, including the de Criol family who gave their name to the village.
Excavations from 2012 to 2020 uncovered foundations of the great hall and kitchen as well as a tithe barn, cattle barn and service buildings. There is also a well-preserved garderobe – a toilet.
The excavation came about after Croxton Kerrial resident Tony Connolly was carrying out research for his book on the history of the village, which led him to look for the site of the manor house.
He said: “The Framland Local Archaeology Group undertook a geophysics survey of the empty field next to the church, which revealed the remains.
“Volunteers then spent eight years excavating the whole of the site, which we rented from the tenant, advised by retired Leicestershire county archaeologist, Peter Liddle.
“The decision was then made to try to share the site with the public rather than cover it up and so the Croxton Kerrial Heritage Trust was set up in order to apply for a Heritage Lottery grant.”
The site will be open from 10am to 4pm and there will be guided tours and re-enactors including Vikings, medieval knights and longbowmen.
There is no need to book. Admission is £5 for adults, free for children and there is free parking.
Refreshments will be available in St Botolph and St John the Baptist Church, which contains both 15th century carved pews from Croxton Abbey and medieval pagan graffiti.
The manor house site will be open from spring to autumn.
The decision was made to try to share the site with the public rather than cover it up Tony Connolly