AN ANCIENT royal palace near Kingsclere unearthed during recent excavations will be open to the public over the weekend (September 22-23).
The Royal Palace of Fremantle has lain hidden under the Hampshire Downs at Tidgrove Warren Farm, in the parish of Hannington, for nearly 900 years.
Over the last three years the site has been excavated by staff and students from the University of Southampton in association with the Kingsclere Heritage Association local volunteers.
Explorations have revealed a medieval enclosed settlement surrounded by a massive ditch - larger than many contemporary castles.
According to Peter Woodman, treasurer of Kingsclere Heritage Association, the settlement was built in 1172 as a stopping place for King Henry II on his journeys to and from his French possessions. It was later used by King Richard the Lionheart and King John, before being demolished in about 1252.
"Finds on the site include prehistoric remains as well as contemporary artefacts," said Mr Woodman.
Within the enclosure the cellar has been excavated with its access stairs, and the footings of other buildings on the site have been identified.
The landowner, Raleigh Place, a keen archaeologist, said: "This has been a most exciting time and we are all grateful to the Rev. Robert Legg the former Vicar of Kingsclere."
"He has thoroughly researched the archives to point us towards a particular set of crop marks which have turned out to be the site of the palace."
The site will be open to the public on Saturday September 22 and Sunday September 23 with guided tours of the excavation being conducted by Professor David Hinton of the University of Southampton.
The first tour is at 10am and the last tour at 4pm on each day.
A range of other activities will be on offer throughout the weekend, mainly aimed at children. A team of re-enactors will provide tasters of medieval food, an armourer will demonstrate armour and weapons of the time and a medieval archer will be giving lessons in the long bow.
Children will be able to use metal detectors to find old coins, with opportunity to learn the techniques of excavation.
Everything is free-of-charge, except for a small charge for keeping the coins.
"Tidgrove Warren is a beautiful place with a wealth of wildlife," said Mr Woodman.
The site lies just north of the B3051 half way between Overton and Kingsclere (3 miles from each), is well signposted and involves driving over a part of the downs.
For more information telephone Peter Woodman (01635) 297144 or email peter@pwoodman.co.uk.

Click on the link above for a video of the site.