Priory Gardens, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire: An Analytical Earthwork Survey
Author(s): Sarah Newsome, Matthew Bristow, Rebecca Pullen, Martyn Barber, Neil Linford
In May 2021 Historic England began a research project aimed at better understanding the nature, extent and significance of the buried remains of Dunstable Priory, located in Priory Gardens, Dunstable. It was undertaken as part of the Dunstable High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) in order to inform a revision of the National Heritage List for England entry for Dunstable Priory and ensure that the priory’s historic remains fully contributed to the HSHAZ and the future regeneration of the High Street, promoting understanding and appreciation of the medieval priory in the wider community. Research undertaken by Historic England’s Archaeological Investigation team included: analytical earthwork survey of the surface remains visible in Priory Gardens (including via a drone-derived Structure-from-Motion model); Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of Priory Gardens and the Priory Academy playing fields to the south; assessment of the available aerial photographs and also documentary research using select primary, as well as secondary, sources. The research has shown that the priory church was more elaborate than previously thought and has added to previous understandings of the layout of the priory buildings, the wider monastic landscape and also to the story of Priory Gardens in the 20th century.
- Report Number:
- 11/2022
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 77
- Keywords:
- Medieval Post Medieval Survey Monastery Earthwork Public Park Drone Digital Surface Model (DSM) Structure-from-Motion (SfM)
