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DIANAS DYKE

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A ditch situated in Nonsuch Park, close to the site of Nonsuch Palace. It measures 180 metres in length, between 9 and 14 metres in width and up to 2 metres in depth. Due to its proximity to Nonsuch Palace, the ditch is thought to be contemporary in date. It is thought that it was used as a drain and sump in times of flooding, instances which are well-documented. However, its regular form and alignment suggests that it may have also an ornamental aspect, such as a garden canal. It is also the traditional site of a 16th century bathing pool. The ditch was surveyed by RCHME field staff as part of the Nonsuch Park Survey conducted between 1993-95.

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[TQ 22766333 to 2292 6340] Diana's Dyke [GT] (1)

The feature was annotated "Long Ditch" in a 1731 survey when
the words "Diana's Dyke" were applied to Diana's Grove to the
west of the Palace. (2)

A wide, deep ditch, traditionally the site of the Diana &
Achtaeon statues where Elizabeth I bathed.
The ditch was sectioned by Dent in 1961 - it appeared to be a
conventional ditch towards which the land slopes from all
directions. It is now dry and only occasionally becomes
water-filled.

Diana's Dyke - an artificial ditch some 180.0m long, 9.0 -
14.0m. wide and up to 2.0 m deep, situated in the lowest lying
part of Nonsuch Park.

It is dry and tree filled, and the western half is gradually
being filled in with old tree stumps etc. Published 1/1250
survey correct.

(TQ 2276 6333 - 2292 6340) Between 1993 and 1995 RCHME's Cambridge Field Office carried out an archaeological survey of Nonsuch Park, following a request from Professor Martin Biddle. (4) This included analytical earthwork surveys at 1:1000 and 1:2500 scales of The Long Ditch, still generally called Diana's Dyke. The earthwork is generally as described by previous sources. Given the proximity to Nonsuch Palace (TQ 26 SW 105), the ditch is probably of Tudor date. Though it almost certainly had a practical function as a drain and sump in times of flooding (which are well-documented), its regular form and alignment suggest that it may also have had an ornamental aspect, as a garden canal.

For further details, see RCHME Level 3 client report and surveys at 1:1000 and 1:2500 scales, held in archive. (3-12)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1933-8

(2) Externally held archive reference

British Museum (maps and plans) A survey of Nonsuch Park... the estate of J. Thompson. 1731.

(3) General reference

Dent J. 1962. The Quest for Nonsuch, 74, 75

(4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 ASP 30-SEP-65

(5) General reference

RCHME: Nonsuch Park Survey

(6) Nonsuch Park, palace and grounds area/ink survey

(7) Nonsuch Park, palace and grounds area, southern part/pencil survey

Nonsuch Park, palace and grounds area/ink survey

(8) Nonsuch Park, palace and grounds area, northern part/pencil survey

Nonsuch Park, palace and grounds area/ink survey

(9) Nonsuch Park, archaeological earthwork plan/ink survey

(10) Nonsuch Park/report

(11) Nonsuch Park/AP transcription/Ink

(12) Nonsuch Park/Copy of AP transcription with OS details

Nonsuch Park/AP transcription/Ink

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NONSUCH PALACE
EWELL

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The site of the Royal Palace of Nonsuch. Nonsuch estate, manor and park were built by Henry VIII on the site of the medieval settlement of Cuddington ...

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