Announcing the Tudor Coastal Fort Excavation at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Posted: 22 May 2026
We're delighted to announce that we have partnered with Historic England to organise an excavation of the Tudor Blockhouse at Cudmore Grove Country Park, Mersea Island. Built in 1543, the blockhouse was part of a coastal military defence programme under Henry VIII to defend the mouth of the Colne estuary.
Colchester Archaeological Trust (CAT) will be excavating the area to create a permanent record of the monument before it is lost to coastal erosion. The project is grant funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, supported by Historic England, through the Countryside Stewardship Heritage Service.
Historic Environment Manager Tim Murphy said: “The blockhouse represents a rare surviving piece of a Tudor coastal defence system, and the excavation will help create a comprehensive archaeological record of this nationally significant monument.”
The excavation is expected to start on Monday 29 June, lasting for five weeks, and the local community have the opportunity to get involved! Check out the volunteer role descriptions and apply to take part on CAT's website. Full training, site induction and supervision will be provided.
It is expected that members of the public will be able to visit the dig whilst it is taking place – more details to follow!
(Image courtesy of Colchester Archaeological Trust.)