Evidence of the earliest phases of activity on the site was minimal which is unsurprising given the continuous use and redevelopment of such a small area over the past thousand years.

In 1212 the ownership of Toton was forfeited to the Crown and was run by Henry de Grey who was in the king's service abroad. Following the death of Lord John de Grey, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 1271-2, the manor was recorded as having a new dovehouse worth nothing. Henry de Gray held Toton in 1308, at which time if comprised of 60 acres of arable land, 20 acres of meadow and a water mill.

Perhaps one of the most notable features relating to this phase was a substantial ditch noted at the western end of the evaluation area at the foot of the knoll on which the building complex is set. This measured 3m wide at the surface and 1.7m deep. The ditch contained three fills. The primary fill, a firm mid orange/grey silty loam clay, produced many fragments of brown/green glazed ridge tiles dating to the 13th-16th century and several sherds of green glazed pottery dating to the 13-14th century. The secondary fill is probably the same as the primary fill though more dry and compact, and the upper fill was a much more friable dark brown silty loam and may be the fill of a later re-cut suggesting its continual use. The dimensions and location of the ditch suggest that it could have been a substantial enclosure or boundary ditch. Roof tiles and glazed ridge tiles dating to between the 13th and 16th centuries were recovered from the fills of this ditch.

Also noted within the area, was a substantial north-south orientated un-mortared stone wall. The wall itself measured 0.5m wide and 0.35m deep and consisted of two courses of large rectangular limestone blocks which were tooled on the western side. Several factors, such as the wall's location on the brow of the hill, its substantial structure, tooling on the western side and its orientation, suggest this is the western most part of a boundary wall that may have encircled the manorial complex. Later 18th/19th century drains were noted cutting the wall which may explain 18th/19th century clay pipe stems being recovered from around the wall. Green glazed 13th/14th century pottery was recovered from a layer which abutted the lower courses of the wall.

Approximately 3m to the east of the wall and on the same alignment, the un-mortared stone foundations for a building were noted underneath a later 18th/19th century foundation. This measured 1m x 2m x 0.2m deep. The foundation was also identified at the same level running at a right angle to the building foundation. Noted and associated with these earlier foundations were the presence of tool markings characteristic of medieval masonry (though this does not negate the possibility of re-use, possibly in a 17th century context). Pottery recovered from two fills which both abutted the wall contained 13th/14th century green glazed pottery while 19th century white glazed ware was also recovered from one of the fills.

Other features likely to relate to medieval activity on the site were two areas of compacted pebbles that may represent floor surfaces. At the southern end of the area, one compacted pebble floor surface was observed and the other surface was located at the northern end of area suggesting a pebble surface may have once surrounded the manor buildings. The second floor surface was stratified below 0.60m and 0.70m of 17th/18th material with some finds coming from the stones themselves relating to the medieval period such as lead window cane and a possible medieval copper alloy buckle attachment. Furthermore, the first feature was noted running below the stone foundations of 17th century building and below the 17th/18th material deposit layer in which a coin datable to 1604-1649 was recovered therefore suggesting a likely medieval date for these surfaces.

Also noted, was a shallow curvilinear gully orientated north – south for 2m before turning east - west for 0.5m and continuing into the section. The function or purpose of this feature is unclear however it was sealed by the post-medeival deposit layer which has been dated by the 1604-1649 coin.

A distinct stone feature was observed below 17th century contexts. This was a substantial isolated square stone platform made of large un-worked limestone blocks. This feature measured 0.5m x 0.4m and 0.2m in depth. There were traces of lime mortar on its surface suggesting something may have previously been bonded to it. This may be the foundation pad for a column base.

R. Parker and J. Winfer, 2015, Toton Unearthed, Toton, Nottinghamshire: Report on an archaeological evaluation on the site of 'Manor Farm' at Toton Manor Farm Recreation Ground, June-July 2014 (Unpublished document). SNT5917.