Providing Archaeological and Historic Environment services in Dorset and the South West

Terrain Archaeology is a Dorset-based independent professional practice committed to providing clients with specialist advice, heritage research services and cost-effective strategies for offsetting planning issues involving archaeology and the Historic Environment.

We specialise in small and medium-sized schemes, where close client cooperation, operational flexibility and service delivery are key. We are also able to undertake larger-scale archaeological mitigation projects, locally, regionally and nationally.

Current national planning guidance recognises archaeology and the historic environment as a material consideration in the planning process and places a responsibility on developers to submit pre-planning consent assessments of the significance of the Historic Environment their proposals might affect. Planning conditions are used to ensure an appropriate archaeological scheme of works is put in place to record and understand the archaeology that may be destroyed or damaged as a result of development.


At Terrain we understand that these heritage-related costs can be critical in determining the viability of any development scheme, whatever its size. Early consultation with professional archaeologists can play a vital part in managing financial risk – heritage costs can be anticipated in advance and archaeological impact-reduction strategies considered. Early consultation means the necessary archaeological works can be integrated into overall project timetables and budgets, minimising the risk of delays and associated on-costs.


All of our work is carried out under the standards and Code of Conduct of our professional institution, the Institute for Archaeologists.

We can offer you:

• A highly experienced and motivated team
• Knowledge and understanding of heritage issues in the planning process
• Extensive local expertise and experience
• Efficient work to agreed deadlines
• Competitive pricing