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This summer, the unusually warm and dry weather in the south of England has uncovered hidden traces of the past across various historic sites. On many lawns, parch marks—discolorations in the grass caused by dryness—have revealed outlines of long-lost structures and gardens. Notable locations where these impressions have appeared include Portchester Castle, Blenheim Palace, Greys Court, and Mottisfont.
At Blenheim Palace, a remarkable discovery was made when the outline of an 18th-century garden resurfaced on the palace lawn. This grand parterre, originally built in 1705 and spanning the palace’s width, had been dismantled over 260 years ago. Andy Mills, the head gardener at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, described the sight as “absolutely magical.” He explained that the intricate garden design, whose name means “on the ground” in French, was “a very large extravagant thing to do,” symbolizing wealth and status during that era. Mills expressed excitement that this massive structure, although buried, had momentarily reappeared due to the exceptional heat.
Elsewhere in Oxfordshire, Greys Court near Henley-on-Thames revealed parch marks outlining several 16th-century buildings on what is known as the Oval Lawn. Archaeological surveys have identified these remains as parts of a long, narrow building that once bridged two sides of a medieval courtyard. This discovery adds another layer of historical insight into the property managed by the National Trust.
In Hampshire, the warm weather also exposed the footprint of a Tudor-era storehouse within the grounds of Portchester Castle. English Heritage, which manages the site, notes that this structure dates back to between 1489 and 1540. Similarly, at Mottisfont near Romsey, parch marks have traced the foundations of walls from the 13th and 16th centuries. These walls belonged to monastery buildings, including a cloister and other structures, that were later modified during Tudor times. Archaeologist James Brown commented on these findings as “intriguing glimpses into the oldest history of buildings known” at Mottisfont, highlighting how geophysical surveys have been conducted but the buildings themselves remain unexcavated, with their secrets momentarily unveiled only when the weather conditions are right
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