An intact brick structure was clearly observed below demolition rubble and the foundations of the 18th/19th century farmhouse. The dimensions of the bricks would suggest this was built around the mid 17th century. Much of the floor plan and some exterior walls were still preserved in good order due to Georgian construction workers using the floors and walls of this earlier building as a solid base for their foundations.

An exterior wall of single brick construction from this period was noted to the east of the middle of the evaluation area running roughly east-west for 1.4m before turning at the western end to run north-south for a further 1.6m. This survived up to five courses (0.3m) high. As this structure was only of single brick construction it is likely there would have been no more than three further courses creating a lower course of brickwork for a timber framed building of wattle, daub and panel above.

Approximately 1.6m to the east of north-south part of the brick construction, a parallel north-south orientated dividing wall with stone capping was recorded. This measured 0.8m x 0.8m within the excavation area. Together these walls formed a room which had a sunken floor level made up of bricks. Bonded to the brick construction was a solid brick ledge or shelf 0.5m x 0.3m which sat on the brick floor. These sunken areas were filled with much of the demolition material from the 17th century building which in the main consisted of brick and lime plaster. Subsequently, Georgian foundations were placed directly on top. Given the form and materials used in this room it is likely that it formed some sort of larder or pantry storage room relating to the 17th century complex, one other such example is known at the farmhouse at Beauvale Priory.

To the east of the sunken larder, remnants of the floor plan of the 17th century buildings could be observed at a higher level in between and underneath later Georgian foundations. Some 0.3m east of a dividing wall was a further brick floor with coursing laid in alignment to the exterior wall; this floor had clearly been cut through by later Georgian foundations and was also partially covered by later Georgian brick internal wall partition.

Continuing a further 0.3m eastwards, a compacted lime ash floor was observed, continuing the 17th century floor plan though possibly within another room space. The foundation cut for the Georgian stone foundation cut through this feature.0.5m east of the floor, the remnants of north-south orientated wall were recorded, this was on a parallel alignment with one of the dividing walls and may have connected these two walls before it was later truncated by Georgian foundation. This may have been an interior wall or the eastern exterior wall of the 17th century building.

Abutting a medieval wall on its western side was an area of small compacted pebbles. This was not overly convincing as an intentional surface but there were a greater quantity of pebbles with some degree of compaction associated with 17th century pottery, clay pipe bowels etc.

Several other features which relate to the 17th century complex were observed. Most of these were located within the footprint of the later Georgian building which helped to preserve them in situ. One such feature was an area of compacted clay and lime floor measuring 1m x 1.7m. This feature predated the 18th century building as it was cut by Georgian wall foundation.

Furthermore 1.2m south of the lime floor, a clear and distinct large cobble path was noted. This was also within the footprint of the 18th/19th century farmhouse. It contained pottery including 18th century white salt glaze ware which may have been intrusive. A quantity of 18th and 19th century pottery was also identified to the south of this including sherds from a butter pot, coarse earthen ware and porcelain vessels. This pottery overlaid the possible medieval column base/post pad, and may have been left there during the construction of the house.

Approximately 0.3m south of the cobble path surface, an area of brickwork was observed which was constructed using typical mid 17th century dimension bricks. It was cut by stone foundation and partly overlay possible medieval column base.

A large stone foundation orientated north-north west - south-south east was observed which had traces of lime mortar on its surface and evidence of brick once mortared to it. This stone foundation was abutting a deposit of black ash rich silty loam from which a coin datable to 1604-1649 was recovered as well as red ware and delf ware pottery dating to the 17th/18th century. Given that this building is not represented on any 19th century maps and that it doesn’t seem to respect the orientation of any later buildings it is thought this wall relates to the 17th century phase of the site.

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, Pages 14-15 (Unpublished document). SNT5917.