Lodge's dark history in the TV spotlight

“It is a key Norman site that fell into disrepair after 1300 AD, and has been undisturbed since.

“I am keen local people know this was a hugely important place at one time, with a lot going on.”

The dig site has been adopted by Bristol University academic Dr Stuart Prior, who also features on the Digging For Britain TV series as one of their expert investigators – replicating some of the ancient skills linked to archaeological finds, like making old coins and producing salt.

Dr Prior said that, over the years, finds at the site have included coins minted for kings Henry I, Stephen and Henry II, along with spearheads and cannon balls.

He said: “It all suggests it was a high-status building involved in the Anarchy period of history, in the 1100s.

“This was 19 years of hell – when battles raged across the country between Henry I’s daughter Matilda, and her cousin Stephen, who were rivals for the throne.”

The site has won three years' funding to continue being used by Bristol University’s HARP programme, which provides undergraduate students with practical archaeological skills and experience.

Dr Prior said the university’s public engagement programme also meant that in the future more amateur archaeologists could become involved in the dig.

The site appears on Digging for Britain series 10, episode 4, which is available to view on the BBC's iPlayer service.