Lower Brook Farm Worminghall Aylesbury Buckinghamshire

LOWER BROOK FARM WORMINGHALL AYLESBURY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

For

SAVILLS LTD

on behalf of

JAMES COX

CA PROJECT: 3163 CA REPORT: 10142

AUGUST 2010

LOWER BROOK FARM WORMINGHALL AYLESBURY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

CA PROJECT: 3163 CA REPORT: 10142

prepared by David Parry, Project Supervisor

date 5 August 2010

checked by Cliff Bateman, Project Manager

date 24 August 2010

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 26 August 2010

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2) ...... 5

3. DISCUSSION...... 6

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 6

5. REFERENCES ...... 7

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 8 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 9 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features (1:250) Fig. 3 Photograph: Trench 1, looking south-east Fig. 4 Photograph: Trench 1, looking north-west

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Lower Brook Farm Location: Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire NGR: SP 6437 0823 Type: Evaluation Date: 3-4 August 2010 Location of Archive: Buckinghamshire County Museum Site Code: LBW 10

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in August 2010 at Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Two trenches were excavated.

Two ditches containing finds dating to the post-medieval/modern period were excavated and recorded during the evaluation. No medieval features or artefacts were exposed.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In August 2010 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Savills Ltd on behalf of Mr James Cox at Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (centred on NGR: SP 6437 0823; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken at the request of Buckinghamshire County Archaeology Service (BCAS), archaeological advisor to Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC), prior to submission of a planning application for the erection of a single dwelling.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a brief for archaeological evaluation (BCAS 2010) and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2010) and approved by Eliza Alqassar (BCAS). The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (2008), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006). It was monitored by Eliza Alqassar, including a site visit on 4 August 2010.

The site 1.3 The site occupies an area of approximately 300m2 and lies towards the eastern edge of the village of Worminghall (Fig. 2). It is bounded to the west by a road known as The Avenue, to the north and south by domestic dwellings, and to the east by Lower Brook Farm. The area is currently grassed and contains a number of trees planted some 50 years ago (James Cox pers. comm.). The site lies at approximately 60m AOD, the ground sloping down towards the south east.

1.4 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Limestone Marls in the west with Kimmeridge Clay to the south-east (BGS 1994), both of which were observed in the evaluation.

Archaeological background 1.5 Archaeological interest in the site relates to its location within the historic core of Worminghall, a historic green-edge village. Worminghall was a substantial village at the time of the Domesday survey and later, in the early 14th century, it held a market and a fair. The issuing of market grants in 1304, at which time the green might have been created in a planned extension including a market place, coupled with

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

extensive earthworks recorded on the County’s Historic Environment Record suggests settlement reorganisation or shrinkage (HER number 02041). This points to the possibility that Worminghall might be seen as an example of a failed attempt to create a medieval town. By the late 18th century Jeffries’ county map shows a nucleated green-based village plan.

1.6 The village has been assessed as potentially of national archaeological importance by English Heritage’s Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological evaluations previously undertaken at The Old Rectory and at No. 18 The Avenue, to the north- west of the current site identified pits, gullies, ditches and a possible buried soil. Finds included both medieval pottery and slag (HER numbers 08040 08385).

1.7 The proposed development area is adjacent to No. 55 The Avenue which is a Grade II listed, late medieval timber-framed house altered in the 17th century, whilst opposite the development lies No. 38-42 The Avenue, a 17th century Grade II listed house. It is therefore possible that medieval or post-medieval remains could survive on site.

Archaeological objectives 1.8 The objectives of the evaluation were to gather sufficient information to generate a reliable predictive model of the extent, character, date, state of preservation and depth of burial of important archaeological remains within the area of study. Specifically, to identify and characterise any evidence for medieval occupation and identify the potential for deposits to contribute to our understanding of how Worminghall developed as a village, and the hypothesis that Worminghall represents a ‘failed town’.

Methodology 1.9 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of two trenches in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). Trench locations were determined on site due to restrictions imposed by the dense tree coverage. CA guidance was followed for best practice with regard to protection of trees, in line with the principles of BS5837: 2005: Trees in Relation to Construction. As far as possible, trenches were excavated within the footprint of the proposed development. Trench 1 measured 22.4m in length and 1.25m in width. It was initially excavated as two separate trenches but these were joined together in order to clarify the identified deposits. Approximately 2m of the total length was not fully excavated due to the presence of

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

a large tree root. Trench 2 measured 2.30m in length and 1.25m in width. It was limited in length by the presence of a sewer pipe running across the site.

1.10 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.11 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003) and no deposits were identified that required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately After Excavation (1995).

1.12 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. The site archive will be deposited with Buckinghamshire County Museum. The finds have been discarded. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2)

Trench 1 2.1 The earliest deposit encountered was natural blue-grey Kimmeridge clay, 104, at c. 0.70m below the present ground level (BPGL). It was overlain by creamy-grey natural limestone marl 103, which was typically 0.45m thick. This was in turn overlain in the western half of the trench by natural yellow-orange gravely silt 102, which thinned from a maximum thickness of 0.40m at the western end until no longer present approximately midway along the trench.

2.2 Two ditches (105 and 107) aligned north-east to south-west and 2.25m apart were revealed towards the eastern end of the trench. Post-medieval/modern tile and glass were recovered from the fills of both ditches. Ditch 105 was overlain by a mixed

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

yellowish-brown clay silt subsoil 101 and was cut by modern land drain 109. Ditch 107 cut subsoil layer 101 and was sealed by a thin, dark brown topsoil.

Trench 2 2.3 The earliest deposit encountered was the natural creamy-brown limestone marl 203, at 0.50m BPGL. This was overlain by natural yellow-orange gravely silt 202, which was 0.24m thick. This was sealed by a yellow-brown clay silt subsoil 201, which was 0.10m thick. The latest deposit was the garden topsoil 200 which was 0.16m thick and contained extensive tree roots. No archaeological features or artefacts were revealed in this trench.

The Finds 2.4 A small quantity of artefacts, comprising ceramic building material and bottle glass, was retrieved two ditch fills, 106 and 108. The ceramic building material, totalling three fragments (weight 83g), is identifiable as roof tile. According to the fabric, characterised by a small amount of limestone inclusions, and the only dimension measurable (depth between 10 and 15mm), the tiles are dateable to the post- medieval/modern period. The small green bottle glass fragment is also of post- medieval/modern date. The artefacts have not been retained due to their limited archaeological potential.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 No significant archaeological features were encountered during the evaluation. Two ditches were recorded in Trench 1, both of which are of post-medieval or modern date, the only finds recovered being fragments of roof tile and bottle glass. No medieval features or artefacts were encountered and thus there was no contribution to the understanding of how Worminghall developed as a village, or to the hypothesis that Worminghall represents a ‘failed town’. Apart from extensive tree rooting across the site, preservation of archaeological remains could be expected to be good.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by David Parry, assisted by Andrew Loader. This report was written by David Parry with illustrations prepared by Lorna Gray and the finds

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Bucks.: Archaeological Evaluation

report by Angela Aggujaro. The archive has been compiled by David Parry and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Cliff Bateman.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 1994 Thame, Solid and Drift, Sheet 237

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010 Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

BCAS (Buckinghamshire County Archaeology Service) 2010 Brief for an Archaeological Evaluation: Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 100 Layer Topsoil: dark brown sandy clay silt 0.16 101 Layer Subsoil: mid yellow-brown clay silt 0.12 102 Layer Natural gravely silt 0.40 103 Layer Natural limestone marl 0.45 104 Layer Natural clay - 105 Cut U-shaped ditch filled by 106 n/k 0.92 0.28 106 Fill Fill of 106. Rare CBM n/k 0.92 0.28 Post- med 107 Cut U-shaped ditch filled by 108 n/k 1.03 0.63 108 Fill Fill of 108. Rare CBM and glass n/k 1.03 0.63 Post- med 109 Cut Modern land drain n/k 0.30 0.65 110 Fill Ceramic pipe and backfill in 109 n/k 0.30 0.65 Mod

Trench 2

No. Type Description Depth Spot- (m) date 200 Layer Topsoil: dark brown sandy clay silt 0.16 201 Layer Subsoil: mid yellow-brown clay silt 0.10 202 Layer Natural gravely silt 0.24 203 Layer Natural limestone marl -

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Description Ct. Wt. Date 106 Ceramic building material: roof tile (depth 1.5 cm) 2 74 Post-med/mod 108 Ceramic building material: roof tile (depth 1 cm) 1 9 Post-med/mod Glass bottle 1 8

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Evaluation Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in August 2010 at Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Two trenches were excavated. Two ditches containing finds dating to the post- medieval/modern period were excavated and recorded during the evaluation. No medieval features or artefacts were exposed. Project dates 3-4 August 2010 Project type Evaluation Previous work None Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Study area Site co-ordinates SP 6437 0823 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Buckinghamshire County Archaeology Service Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Cliff Bateman Project Supervisor David Parry PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of Content archive Physical Buckinghamshire None County Museum Paper Buckinghamshire Context sheets, County Museum registers, section drawings and plan Digital Buckinghamshire digital photos County Museum BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010 Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Evaluation Typescript Report No. 10142

10 Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109

site

0 2.5km

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

PROJECT TITLE Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. LG 1:25,000@A4 3163 1

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY 3 Trench 1, looking south-east PROJECT TITLE Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Photograph

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. LG n/a 3163 3 4

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY 4 Trench 1, looking north-west PROJECT TITLE Lower Brook Farm, Worminghall Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Photograph

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. LG n/a 3163 4