Malmesbury hotel owners ‘honoured’ to find historic skeletons

The owners of the Old Bell hotel in Malmesbury have expressed their excitement upon discovering rare human remains from the Middle Saxon period in their garden.

The skeletons, some of which date back as far as the seventh century, were found during an excavation at the grounds of the Mr & Mrs Smith hotel, which dates back to 1220 and is located next to Malmesbury Abbey.

The property was purchased by Kim and Whit Hanks, founders of Whim Hospitality, in 2021.

Volunteers also worked with professional archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology to unearth 13 test pits around the town as part of the Big Athelstan Dig, a community archaeology event celebrating the 1,100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming the First King of all England.

Historian Tony McAleavy, expert and author on Malmesbury’s history and on St Aldhelm and King Athelstan (who was buried in Malmesbury Abbey), said: “This discovery literally transforms our understanding of the birth of Malmesbury Abbey in the seventh and eighth centuries.

“The excavation has uncovered skeletal remains of 24 identifiable people – men, women and children – who lived, died and were buried in Malmesbury during the early centuries of Malmesbury Abbey.” 

Kim and Whit Hanks, owners of the Old Bell Hotel, said: “The exciting discovery intertwines history with the present, providing a rare insight into the lives of Middle Saxon period Malmesbury residents.

“As the owners of the Old Bell Hotel, a listed building, we are honoured to act as stewards of local history – a responsibility we take very seriously. It’s fitting that the earliest remains have been found near the abbey, on the grounds of England’s oldest hotel.” 

Whit also has a blood connection to the town as his ancestors come from a local hamlet called Garsdon.

A spokesperson for the hotel confirmed the remains are currently with Cotswold Archaeology and a decision will be made about how they will be stored “in due course”, adding: “It’s most likely that they will be donated to a museum which can keep them in appropriate conditions to facilitate further study in future.”

Image: Cotswold Archaeology