Archaeological evaluation and excavation at land south of Holland Road (the Old Chicken Farm), Little Clacton, Essex, CO16 9QE: December 2025 – February 2026

An archaeological evaluation (twenty trial-trenches) and excavation was carried out at land south of
Holland Road (the Old Chicken Farm), Little Clacton, Essex, in advance of the construction of a new
housing estate. Located in an area where significant prehistoric and medieval remains had previously
been identified, the investigations together revealed sixty-three features ranging in date from the
prehistoric period, notably the Late Bronze Age, to the medieval period and 19th to 20th century.
Prehistoric activity was found in the southeastern corner of the development site. It included one ditch
and twenty-one pits or post-holes which between them produced 175 sherds of prehistoric pottery,
with assemblages from four features datable to the Late Bronze Age. Fragments of flint ‘quern’ were
found in two features, while other finds from prehistoric features included baked clay and burnt flint.
Medieval activity (early/mid-11th to the late 12th century) was focussed in the northeastern corner of
the development site. Two ditches produced sherds of medieval pottery and it is highly likely that a
third is contemporary, forming part of a field system which possibly included a trackway or stock
funnel. Five post-holes and two pits dated to the same period, along with another post-hole in the
southeastern corner of the development site.
Two pits and a gully dated to the 19th to 20th century and are probably related to agricultural activity
on the development site.