Five trenches have been excavated across the ha ha ditch, which divides the area of the Cowdray Ruins from the Cowdray Lawns, in order to inform future conservation work by providing information on its construction. All the trenches revealed the wall to be originally of a dry-stone build, with a one stone width facing backed by a rubble infill. The ditch had no original lining, but was merely dug into natural sands and gravels. The construction of the ha ha was found to have taken place after the destruction of Cowdray House by fire in 1793, and probably under the Poyntz family ownership between 1799 and 1808. Of the 370m of walling on this section of the ha ha, 104m were found to be in a state of collapse, with many other sections threatened with further deterioration from a combination of factors including most significantly damage from trees, vegetation and rabbits