Dry weather exposes archaeological secrets at National Trust monasteries

Parch marks showing the traces of former monastery buildings have appeared at Mottisfont in Hampshire - (National Trust)

With sweltering temperatures and four heatwaves, this year’s summer season is set to go down as one of the hottest on record.

But aside from family days on the beach and evening gatherings around the barbecue, the warm weather has brought, perhaps, a surprise benefit.