Monument MPM1911 - Mill Pond Wall

Sections of the wall belonging to the former Mill Pond to the Kings Mill observed during a watching brief at the East Side Plaza Gunwharf in 2005.

Sections of the wall belonging to the former Mill Pond to the Kings Mill (see MPM1910) were observed during watching briefs at Gunwharf Quays in 2002 and 2005.

The Mill Pond Wall was constructed between 1668 and 1685 when the town defences were remodelled by Sir Bernard de Gomme. It acted as a revetment to a substantial defensive rampart located to the south. The wall was demolished during the late-19th century when the Mill Pond was backfilled.

In 2002 a small section of the wall was observed east of the site of the former Kings mill (estimated SZ632998).

In 2005 the wall was recorded in three principle sections running in an east-south-east west-north-west direction, before turning north at an approximately 30° degree angle. In the west of the site the wall had been heavily truncated, possibly having been robbed out when the Mill Pond was infilled. The wall was better preserved elsewhere surviving to approximately 0.5m below ground level. The wall was approximately 1.3m thick and had a core constructed from rough limestone blocks which had been faced with dressed Portland stone blocks on its north side. The walls foundations had been built directly onto the natural marine gravels.

Barge, Melanie, 2002, Canalside Blocks Gunwharf Portsmouth: Report on the Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM519.

Keyte, Jim, 2005, East Side Plaza, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth: Report on Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM518.