THE search for a Medieval village has begun in north Herefordshire.

The hidden history of Brockhampton estate is being explored through excavations at the National Trust property.

Through its programme called Summer of Archaeology an excavation plan will see a combination of metre-square test pits and larger full size trenches put into the ground around Lower Brockhampton.

The excavations will investigate the area behind the ruined Norman chapel looking for buildings, while trenches in the orchard will search for a medieval village.

Around the manor house there will be a search for the lost gardens and they will also explore if the moat was once larger or a different shape.

The areas chosen to explore were determined following archaeology surveys carried out earlier in the year and using information already known about the site.

Since the end of May visitors have been voting for which of the five main areas they most want to see investigated at Brockhampton.

Excavations by archaeologists, with help from volunteers and visitors, began on Sunday.

And excavations will continue every day until August 9 between 11am and 4pm.

Visitors can meet the archaeologists and even help out with all sorts of archaeological activities and practice their skills in the sandpit dig at weekends between 11am to 4pm on July 25/26; August 1/2 and August 8/9.