Clare Castle Excavation Open Day

256 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

September, 2019

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Wife

Reasons for trip

Not just a wonderful place to take the grandchildren but, if you can manage any kind of walking, an almost endless source of interest and delight. That has always been Clare Country Park for us. Strangely, though, I’d never walked to the top of the castle motte until this year and Open Day at the excavations.

There is a playground for the children; paths go for a mile or more between Clare and Cavendish (one of the prettiest greens in England, and on if you wish to Long Melford. The Country Park was created after the closure of a branch railways line, making use of the station buildings for refreshments and toilets and parts of the line for pathways that can be cycled as well as walked. It has the River Stour along one side and Clare Priory nearby so plenty of interest.

Our interest this day was the excavations that made it worth driving nearly forty miles (we had once lived only five miles away) and taking the chance climbing the great mound that is the ‘motte’. From the remains of the keep it is not only easy to see the railway buildings and excavations but also the commanding view the Normans held over the countryside of Suffolk and Essex. Today it also commands a view of the lovely town of Clare, developed under the Norman and medieval magnates of the De Burgh family, second only to the crown in those days. The account books of Dame Elizabeth, the ‘Lady of Clare’ demonstrate the wealth of the family and show the castle ruins to be worth excavation.

A half penny of William I was one special find, but current interest is in the Anglo Saxon period because Clare was significant before the Conquest and had a church before the Priory was established. One small section of flint wall has been unearthed, and this may indicate part of that early church. Many animal bones testify to the food eaten at Clare and numerous scraps of clay come from building tiles and cooking pots. Children were enjoying themselves cleaning finds under parental supervision – not something that they would consider with crockery at home. Their work place was just a step or two from the wood-sculptures of sheep that on other days might have been a bigger attraction.

There was an organised visit by members of Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History being allowed into the excavations along the railway line, which showed the level of interest in both excavations and open days. There is another day later in September before all finds are taken to the Archaeology Unit at Needham Market near Ipswich, where further volunteers for pot washing will be welcome in October.

There will be many more general visitors to Clare Country Park after that and the Priory will also welcome visitors at various times. Both are well worthwhile, and cafes of Clare and its magnificent church are also rewarding. All, apart from refreshments, is free so value for money and offers for seniors are either irrelevant or of infinite worth.

John.Pelling

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.