Time Team S14-E03 School Diggers, Hooke Court, Dorset

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Published 2013-03-21

Hooke Court, in Dorset, is home today to a residential study centre and a small private school and nursery. Most of its surviving structures are believed to date from the English civil war in the mid 1600s, when the house was reported to have been burnt down by Parliamentarian troops.

But the house is also full of interesting features that point to a much earlier original construction date. And there are various clues that suggest it was once much grander than it appears now.

Peter and Mandy Cooper moved into the property in 1994 after carrying out extensive restoration work. Mandy, who runs the education centre, called in Time Team to investigate, so that she could tell the children (who played an active part in Time Team's visit), visitors and local people more about the history of Hooke Court.

All Comments (21)

@angelitabecerra 7 months ago

The best part about this episode is how engaged and interested the entire school is, especially the children
@abbysynthe5095 5 years ago

Every single one of the time team people seemed to have such a great time with the kids, teaching them about what's going on and engaging them. I love episodes like this.
@rileyhoffman6629 1 year ago

These lucky students will remember a magical three days (if the teacher is clever, stretching the lesson into weeks) forever. Yay!
@shnops 4 years ago

Imagine being able to have a job that brings thrills of discovery and being able to uncover mysteries almost daily . Phil Harding has maintained his passion for his profession for 50 years !
@johnbiggscr 5 years ago

Love how they got the kids involved. Hope at least one of them was inspired to further a career in archaeology.
@AimeeHarrisonDesigns 5 years ago

I am watching every episode but I had to comment that I love how very much they are including the school children. Undoubtedly a few future archaeologists among them!
@Wotdermatter 6 years ago

I have been involved with falconry for some 55 years. The bell displayed at 20:40 was more probably used on a hawk, or a Goshawk but not a falcon, as they would carry a lighter unit. The reason for saying so is because of the configuration of the bell and the shield on the bell. This would be used to identify the owner should the bird decide to take off or went missing. It is doubtful if it was used on a horse as horse bells were different and did not usually have a slot with a hole at each end, across the bottom. Also, horse bells were larger. The bell was attached to the leg of the bird by using a bewit, a small strap made with leather that went through the piece on top of the bell. My thought is further confirmed at 29:30 when the word MEWS is used. A mews was/is a place where birds of prey were housed as they still are by falconers, especially when they were/are moulting and not usually flown for hunting but maybe only lightly to keep them in good condition, to a lure.
@Kaffeeteria 6 years ago

I love how they always involve and encourage the kids.
@TheBlueRoan316 9 years ago

My favorite episode by far. Loved seeing the kids involved and how patient the Team was with them.
@almostcrazycosplay 9 years ago

Absolutely loved seeing how involved and interested the kids were. Great episode. Interesting to wonder at how many "lost" medieval manor houses are out there. :)
@Nangleator22 5 years ago

I just realized in this one, that I've never seen a boom mic problem in all the shows. Cheers on not being noticed, great boom mic guy!
@mocat1 4 years ago

It must have been really fun for both the kids and the archaeologists and the others, showing and teaching the kids and the teachers. This episode is now definitely in my faves list.
@jamesrivis620 8 years ago

One of the best yet ! Loved how the kids and head teacher were involved.
@chrispascoe8116 8 years ago

What a treat for these kids..... a living history lesson. :D
@mikeholton3914 1 year ago

the degree of inclusion and teaching the Time Team Archaeologists afford to these children is priceless. this is what here in the United States is akin to is a "Field Trip" these lucky kids get to have one without leaving their school grounds. Just imagine the interest this could peak in a child to make him or her yearn for a career in Archaeology (im 59 and watching this series I envy these kids the opportunity to do something I desperately wish I could have done when I was their age! Kudo's once again to the Time Team!
@bokhans 4 years ago

I love these episodes when they get kids involved.
@cherylmoppin9833 3 years ago

This was so sweet. To see the children’s enthusiasm was heart warming.
@kennlyd9268 4 years ago

I went to hooke court from 1982 to 1985 was known as St. Francis School for Boys a boarding school and the moat didnt go all the way around like it does in this there was a swimming poole there. What i found cool was the bridge they built over the moat was built ontop of the original pilons from rampasham bbc world service that were over the moat when i was there. Chris Read was my teacher. The newer looking building in front og the main house was 2 dorm houses Bernard and Leo and the Dinning room and to the right was the offices and laundry room. The metal staircase that Tony goes up in the begining leads to the top floor, that was the chapel as the school was run by Friers from the Society of St. Frances. brings back memories.
@lisakilmer2667 7 years ago

Beautiful episode, one I'd missed. They are always good with children but this one was better than the others.
@joshtalbott9528 4 years ago

This is my favorite time team to date. The interactions with the kids are so cool. it also really brings forward more of the team's personalities