Community and Landscape

Poltimore House to work with University of Exeter's archaeologists

Poltimore House and the University of Exeter are embarking on a project to investigate the development of the historic gardens and landscape of the Poltimore Estate. The project will be launched during the Heritage Open Days 11-12 September 2010, and Dr Penny Cunningham, Project Officer, will be on hand to explain what the project aims to achieve during the next two years.

The project combines an historical and archaeological approach to discover more about the way the landscape was once used and how it has changed over time from private to public use. The evolution of the Tudor estate on the outskirts of Exeter will be explored with help from community groups and schools. They will play an important role in finding critical information about the development of the gardens and historic landscape that surrounds Poltimore House.

Archaeologist Dr Oliver Creighton and historian Professor Henry French will lead the research project alongside Dr Penny Cunningham. A very important part of the project is to equip local people with understanding and new skills to investigate above-ground archaeology including earthworks and hedgerow surveys as well as traditional historical research techniques such as the investigation of maps and archive records. The research will be used to create an interactive website to widen access to this remarkable landscape, through a virtual environment with commentaries based on the research findings including aerial photographs, geophysical surveys, interactive plans and images, together with audio and video observations. The project, Community and Landscape: transforming access to the heritage of the Poltimore Estate, will provide new ways to understand the grounds of Poltimore House as a community heritage resource, enabling a wider range of people to gain a rich appreciation of the changes in the landscape.'

To find our more about the project and how to become involved the project team will be at Poltimore House as part of the heritage Open Weekend, 11-12 September between 11am and 4.0 pm.
Contact: Dr Penny Cunningham at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Dr Claire Donovan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .