PICTURES: Archaeologists make second discovery at Clumber

Archaeologists have stumbled across another exciting find at Clumber Park - the second within a week.
More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered. Rachael Hall, National Trust ArchaeologistMore findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered. Rachael Hall, National Trust Archaeologist
More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered. Rachael Hall, National Trust Archaeologist

Cellars of the original 1768 Clumber House mansion were discovered on the morning of Thursday, October 9.

It follows the news the Guardian reported last week, in which flooring of the re-built 19th century Clumber House mansion was found.

Work has been taking place at the National Trust site for the last three months to install a new drainage system.

More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered.More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered.
More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered.

Visitor experience manager, Trevor Pressley, said: “We were excited when we recently uncovered a relatively large section of flooring from the 19th century house at Clumber but were even more surprised when a couple of days later we discovered cellars which we believe may date back to the original house of 1768.

“What started off as a project to deliver improved drainage facilities on-site has given us a glimpse of Clumber’s grand past and got us thinking about how we might unearth more of the potential archeology below our feet as part of a separate project to engage with our visitors and local community.”

The cellars, just like the flooring, will be re-layed with a protected covering, but could be open to members of the public in the future.

Rachael Hall, National Trust archaeologist for the East Midlands, told the Guardian that everyone is excited about the find.

More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered. Rachael Hall, National Trust ArchaeologistMore findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered. Rachael Hall, National Trust Archaeologist
More findings at Clumber Park - in addition to the tiled floor a cellar has also been discovered. Rachael Hall, National Trust Archaeologist

“The cellars are right next to the floors that we found,” she said.

“There would have been several cellars underneath the house and they were found in a small area of the site.

“The members of the public who were there at the time of the find were really excited.

“The team at Clumber are really interested in looking further into it.”