English Heritage has revealed an archaeologist’s findings after a dig at Marble Hill House in Twickenham.

Archaeologists have begun their second phase of investigations after discovering the remains of a historic ninepin bowling alley next to the historical building - dating back more than 250 years.

The new dig will take place over four weeks and members of the public will be able to get close to the action – learning more about the works going on thanks to a series of excavation tours and archaeology workshops throughout August.

Megan Leyland, senior properties historian at English Heritage said: “After such an exciting find in the previous dig, we hope this round of archaeological investigations will uncover even more details about Marble Hill’s hidden landscape.

Archaeologists will be opening up two areas to the north and west of the grotto to try and find out its original extent, how its appearance changed over time and if there were any related structures.

English Heritage has commissioned archaeologists from Historic England to carry out the dig as part of its Marble Hill Revived Project, which aims to transform the house and park.

“They’ll also be looking for a pergola which is shown on the c1752 plan, trying to establish what it was made from and how it was built as well as investigating the landscaped terraces that used to run across the lawn between the house and the river,” added Ms Leyland.

The finds will help the charity to restore Marble Hill’s lost 18th century Pleasure Grounds, a small but historically significant area of landscape which lay between the house and the River Thames.

In the 18th century, ninepin bowling was a popular outdoor garden game and the historic alley was a key part of Marble Hill’s landscape.

The findings suggested many games were played at Marble Hill, as the surface appears to have been patched up due to wear and tear over time.

In addition to the ninepin alley, English Heritage is hoping to reinstate a number of other historical elements of the landscape such as tree avenues and groves, a hedged arcade, flower garden, orchard, terraces, and serpentine paths.