Introduction

Come join us at Huttons Ambo, a beautiful rural and ancient village between the City of York and Malton both hotbeds of amazing archaeology.

The aim of the project is to establish the character, form and extent of archaeology that was identified by a comprehensive Geo Physics survey carried out in 2023 as well as targeted trenches that uncovered Iron Age, Roman and Medieval archaeology.

The History and Archaeology

The village of Huttons Ambo is about 14 miles (22.5 km) north-east of York and 3 miles (4.8 km) south-west of Malton. It consists of the villages of High Hutton and Low Hutton.

The villages are mentioned in the Domesday book as Hotun in the Bulford hundred. The lands were divided between Cnut, son of Karli, Thorkil and Thorbrand son of Kalri. After the Norman invasion, the lands were split between the King and Berengar of Tosny.

The land at Low Hutton owned by the King, has been named Hutton Colswayn, whilst the land near Hutton Hill has been known as Hutton Mynchon. The land at High Hutton has been known as Hutton Bardolf. All these suffixes indicate the names of the landowners of those times. The Colswayn family may have been given the land by the Crown for duties performed guarding York Castle. The titles passed on to the Bolton family.

The other lands came into the possession of the Gower family, some of whom held the office of High Sheriff of York, such as Sir Thomas Gower. Memorials to members of this family can seen in the Church.

The name Hutton, derives from the Old English hōh tūn, meaning settlement on or by the hill spur. Ambo, the suffix, is Latin indicating the combination of the two villages into the one parish.

Excavations in the 1950s revealed evidence of 12th- or 13th century fortified buildings at the south end of the village of Low Hutton near the river, which is now an Ancient Scheduled Monument. The excavations also identified Roman occupations in the way of coins, pottery and ditches.

Recent excavations carried out by Ethos Heritage CIC uncovered significant amounts of Iron Age and Roman Pottery in addition to burnt daub indicating a possible structure that appears to have been identified in the Geo Physics survey carried out in the village in 2023.

Huttons Ambo also lends its name to a specific type of Medieval pottery produced here in the 13th Century. Consisting of large, unglazed storage jars it is a short distance to the major Roman potteries at Crambeck. The excavations hope to cast more light on the Huttons Ambo pottery industry and its location.

The project will provide a unique opportunity to look at a Village that dates back to over 6000 years and is recorded in the Doomsday Book. The project will be using the most up to date archaeological techniques under the supervision of experienced and highly qualified archaeologists.

It will allow investigation of archaeological features that have been identified as well as caring out further work in other areas of the village.

A major focus of the project will be to try and establish the location of a medieval chapel called All Saints that was taken down around 1800. Its location is now lost but it’s believed it stood at the southern extremity of the current village green and a private property. In addition, we will be putting in two large trenches over areas identified in our Geo Physics survey and our recent test pits have produced, large amounts of Iron Age and Roman pottery.

We will also open a small, focused trench on what appears to be a substantial medieval building near the scheduled monument.

It’s hoped that these investigations will allow an assessment of the significance of Huttons Ambo, and its potential for further exploration on a site of regional importance.

Excavations Package Options

Participants who wish to attend the project will have a variety of options to choose from as follows:

1. Attend just for the excavations selecting as many or as few days as you wish. Cost is £30 (£20 for students/unemployed) per day including tea/coffee/squash, toilets, Wi Fi and indoor facilities.

2. Attend 7 days at a reduced cost of £180 (£120 for students/unemployed saving £20). This includes all tools/equipment, tea/coffee/squash, toilets, Wi Fi an indoor seated eating area to eat and socialise. This also includes full training in archaeological techniques, tools and lectures during the week.

Accommodation

We offer two accommodations if you wish to stay on site or nearby.

1. Camping with full facilities is provided adjacent to the site with amazing views across the Howardian Hills, an area of outstanding natural beautiful, and overlooks the famous Derwent River. Its only 5mins walk from the excavation area. We will be making use of the village hall for the duration of the project.

The hall which is 20 meters from the camping area has been recently refurbished. It’s a bright, modern, clean venue with comprehensive audiovisual projection facilities and 10Mbit/s wi-fi broadband connection. It also has a well-equipped kitchen with a food preparation area, sink and a separate crockery/utensil washing area. In addition, it has a modern cooker, fridge, dishwasher and serving area. The hall has ramp access for disabled users as well a male and female toilet. Additionally, will have 3 dedicated showers for our participants attached to the hall.

2. Stay in local Hotels, B&Bs or Lodges close to the village. We can help you with this if required. However, you will be responsible for own transport to site (we can lend a bike if required)

We can provide a loan of a tent for a small charge (£10 for the weekend, £15 for the week or £20 for 2 weeks). This is a two-person tent and will be for a participant’s sole personal use.

A separate camping section is provided for all participants who are under 18 who attend without an adult.

The cost per day for camping will be £15 (under 16 are free).

Feeding

Participants who are staying with us will have the option of full board for the days they are staying. This will include a breakfast with a variety of options including Fruit, Cerel, Toast, Eggs, and hot options. A snack bag containing fruit, crisps, choc bar and other options will be provided as well. Lunch will be a variety of hot or cold options plus a variety of drinks. Dinner will be a hot option including potatoes, pasta, rice, vegetables and a variety of drinks.

We provide for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan. All meals will be taken in the village halls indoor dining area. For people who which to cook their own food an area will be provided on the camp site to do so and you can eat in the village hall indoor dining area.

People who wish to bring their own food there is an indoor eating area with washing facilities

An indoor washing area with hot water will be provided for all to enable them to wash their eating utensils.

The cost per day for feeding will be £15.

Transport Links To The Site

Car: There is ample parking in the village

Bike: There is a cycle path to the village

Train: The nearest train station is Malton which is 3.1 miles or 4.9 KM (we can pick you up or you can get a bus to the village)

Bus: The is a bus stop in the village and on the main road just 8 mins walk to the village hall.

We can advise and assist with transport from any part of the UK or if arriving in by Plane.

Supermarkets, shops and bars

The following are in Malton (3.1 miles or 4.9 KM)

1. Morrisons

2. Lidal

3. Wide variety of shops, petrol stations and bars

4. Laundry

Transport from the project will be going in most days and we can provide a lift if required.

The project will be running a small shop in the hall providing items that participants may need.

Phone Reception and Wi-Fi

Phone reception is very good with all network providers. In addition, we will have free Wi-Fi with the village system and another free option with the mobile provider Three.

Phone (Laptop/Tablets) charging is provided free of charge to all participants staying with us.

Eco Policy

The project operates a carbon neutral policy and where possible uses solar electricity, full recycling of all our waste, vegetarian/vegan options.

We provide free fully ecofriendly and recyclable period products

We have 4 bikes (inc. helmets/high vis jackets) for our participants to use free of charge.

Safeguarding

All Ethos Heritage CIC staff are DBS (|UKs official criminal and safeguarding checks) cleared, safeguarding trained, and a trained safeguarding officer in place. Our staff are all First Aid trained and are qualified in Mental Health

Costs Summary:

Excavation:

£30 per day (£20 for students or unemployed) (Under 16 Free, with an adult)

£180 for 7 days (£120 for students or unemployed)

Camping:

£15 per day including Showers, toilets and all facilities (under 16 with an adult are free).

Tent Rental if required (£10 for the weekend, £15 for the week or £20 for 2 weeks).

Food Costs (For people staying on site and wish to be provided with food)

Feeding: £15 per day including tea and coffee

How to Apply

To book a place or for further information email admin@ethosheritage.com or fill in the applications by clicking on the link for our Project Page

To apply from this page click on the link below

Project Application FormApplication