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Gloucestershire Business News

Chance to see archaeological dig at Sudeley Castle

Where: Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe

When: Saturday and Sunday, October 13-14

Visitors to Sudeley Castle this weekend can see an archaeological dig in progress.

A team of archaeologists are set to unearth a long-lost Tudor garden and visitors can join a series of guided tours to find out more about the project and archaeological features of the castle and gardens.

A recent geophysical survey has revealed the ghostly outline of a long-lost Tudor garden at Sudeley, with traces of what could have been a banqueting house in the same area where pieces of historic masonry were found in the 19th century. Now experts say it is time to investigate further.

The dig will take place at over the weekend of October 13 and 14 and is thought to be the most significant archaeological investigation since the discovery of Roman villas on the estate in Victorian times.

A specialist team from social archaeology company, DigVentures, will begin an investigation of the site, which aims to 'ground-truth' the geophysics results. They hope to reveal some of the Tudor secrets that remain hidden underground at the castle.

Best-selling historical novelist Dr Philippa Gregory will also be joining the team. Philippa, whose well-known works include The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen, started her research into Sudeley Castle whilst working on a novel about Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife.

Philippa said: "Sudeley is a fascinating site. It was always one of the most treasured by the Tudor monarchs and as such, housed those closest to the crown.

"Lavish banquets, with dozens of guests and many courses, would have been common there. I can't wait to see what else this excavation can tell us about life there."

The chance to see the excavation in progress and the guided tours are free with castle admission.

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