Final chance to explore the lost medieval village of West Stonehouse

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-20 11:35 2 min read

Ancient stone ruins of a medieval building under an overcast British sky.

History enthusiasts and local families have one final opportunity this weekend to explore the archaeological remains of the lost medieval village of West Stonehouse. The community-led excavation at the Barn Pool site in Mount Edgcumbe concludes this Sunday, 23 August 2026, offering a rare glimpse into centuries of coastal history before the site is re-covered.

Event Details and Access

Date: Sunday, 23 August 2026
Time: 10:00 to 16:00
Location: Barn Pool, Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, Cornwall
Entry: Open to the general public
Cost: Not specified

Uncovering Centuries of History

The excavation, a collaborative project between The Ships Project and Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, has successfully exposed stone foundations believed to be the village’s original chapel or a medieval tithe barn. The village of West Stonehouse itself has a turbulent history; it was sacked by the Bretons in 1338, rebuilt, and eventually destroyed in 1740 by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.

Over the past week, more than 200 volunteers have worked alongside professional archaeologists to sift through the soil. The dig has proven remarkably productive, revealing a timeline of human activity that stretches back to the Neolithic period. Visitors to the site this Sunday can expect to see a curated selection of these findings, which highlight the diverse layers of history present at the Tamar waterfront.

Final chance to explore the lost medieval village of West Stonehouse

What to Expect at the Site

The display will feature a wide array of artefacts unearthed during the project. Highlights include:

Prehistoric Finds: Neolithic settlement clues and various flint tools, including a small stone tool used for grinding grain or flax.
Medieval and Early Modern Items: Roman and Elizabethan coins.
Military History: Personal items from the American D-Day occupation, including coat and sweetheart buttons.

This viewing day is the final opportunity for the public to see these findings in situ. Following the conclusion of the event on Sunday afternoon, the team will begin the process of carefully re-covering the exposed walls and trenches to ensure the archaeological remains are protected for the future.

Practical Information for Visitors

As this is an outdoor archaeological site located on the beach, visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain. While the event is open to the general public, please note that there is no specific information provided regarding booking requirements or on-site facilities. Attendees are encouraged to plan their visit to Mount Edgcumbe accordingly, keeping in mind that the site will be closed to public viewing once the restoration of the ground commences after 16:00 on Sunday.

Source: Plymouth City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified event details

The event details were verified against the official announcement from Plymouth City Council regarding the archaeological project at Mount Edgcumbe.

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