A TEAM of archaeologists have begun the process of uncovering the remains of a long-lost Tudor garden at Sudeley Castle.

Five exploratory pits were dug in a field immediately next to Sudeley Castle which is usually used to graze horses. Initial findings included fragments of post-medieval pottery, masonry and animal bones.

These findings are consistent with garden archaeology, and a mound in the middle of the field, which was thought to be a Tudor banqueting house, has now been identified as a consolidated platform built to house a temporary structure on top. This is similar to other temporary gardens and features of the period associated with Elizabeth I’s progress around the country celebrating the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Sudeley Castle’s general manager, Wendy Walton, said: “We had a fantastic weekend making the first investigatory digs to reveal Tudor secrets that have remained hidden underground for hundreds of years.

“Our expert archaeologists believe they have indeed found the remains of a long lost Tudor garden, which we are all immensely excited about."