About AiM and the Lectures, visits and other projects archaeology around Marlow Archaeology in Marlow encourages its members to participate by joining in our archaeological field AIM was founded in 2003. Since then it has work and research investigations. We run practical undertaken the ROMADAM (Recording Of Marlow beginners’ training courses for young and old And District’s Monuments) Project, funded by a alike. We hold talks on our discoveries and invite generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund; speakers to talk on a wide variety of archaeological searched for Roman Roads in the local area, subjects. We also arrange visits to archaeological completed a study of Medieval Burgage Plots in sites in the vicinity and circulate a regular central Marlow; and conducted research and newsletter keeping members informed of the excavations in , Happy Valley and at Affiliated to the Council for British Archaeology group’s activities. Warren Wood (details of the last two venues overleaf). Archaeology In Marlow (AIM) is an active local archaeological group, which investigates the history Future Plans and pre-history of Marlow and its surrounding parishes. It is planned that in 2013, and beyond, investigations will take place at various venues in and around Marlow. However, our first priority is to learn more about the archaeology in Warren Wood Archaeology and the surrounding area. For up to date information on all our investigations, • Research please visit our website - www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk, or tel. 01628 481141. • Excavation • Geophysical and field surveys • Field walking • Finds identification World War 1 Warren • Recording Training Wood • Training activities Trenches Activities • Talks and visits • Regular newsletter

Projects • See inside Hill fort Happy Valley This leaflet was mainly financed through a generous grant from the Chilterns Conservation Board

Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright Danesfield 2005. All rights reserved. Hill fort Ordnance Survey Licence number 100044133 A few of AiM’s Projects First World War Training Trenches Warren Wood Earthworks at Pullingshill Wood in the Chilterns There is an earthwork At Pullingshill Wood, adjacent to at Warren Wood, north of Marlow Common, is an important and Little Marlow, situated at Medmenham and Danesfield NGR SU8720:8970. Iron Age Hill Forts significant network of training trenches, utilised by, and probably dug by, soldiers Although on private land, At Medmenham there is a large Iron Age hill fort during the initial years of the First World it can be accessed from dominating the valley below in which the River War. the footpath on the right, Thames runs. about 1.5km heading Apart from surveying these trenches north up Archaeology In Marlow (AIM) surveyed this hill fort (see the plan to the left), Archaeology In Lane. The earthwork can Marlow has investigated their be observed on the left construction, design and purpose. after walking about 400 Research was also undertaken to metres. identify Army Regiments which were sent The earthwork is a double enclosure and to Marlow and where they were billeted. probably dates from medieval times. However, Neolithic/Mesolithic artefacts have also been found, Chiltern Woodland Project’s visit to Pullingshill Wood as well as pottery from the late Bronze Age, or early Iron Age (see adjacent photograph). Field work and North-west Bank of Medmenham Hill fort Plan of research is World War 1 continuing and tried to locate the whereabouts of the Norman Training Trenches (Marlow Common) at this site ‘Bolebec Castle’, said to have been built within the to try to hill fort's ramparts. The trenches are situated at NGR SU8215:8630, to unravel its The hill fort is just off the crossroads at Medmenham, the west of the minor road running through the purpose diagonally opposite the Church, on a promontory of Common on land owned by The Woodland Trust and and origins. land at NGR SU8070:8470. A steep public footpath are accessible to the public. Again, public information A public information board, provided by AIM, can allows access to the western part of the hill fort. boards, provided by AIM, can be found at this location. be found alongside the adjacent footpath. At nearby Danesfield there is another large Iron Age hill fort overlooking the Happy Valley immediately below. Archaeology In Marlow also To the north of Henley Road a public footpath runs through surveyed part of this hill fort and conducted research the middle of Happy Valley (NGR SU835:863 to 837:859). to discover whether there was a link between it and Archaeology in Marlow has conducted a series of the Medmenham hill fort only a kilometre away. investigations over the last 10 years. In 2003, a search was This hill fort at NGR SU8180:8440 straddles the undertaken to find the Roman vineyard rumoured to be there. SAS Institute and Danesfield Hotel and Spa estates In 2004, an excavation took place across an ancient and permissions are needed to visit it. Public trackway. In 2009 more excavations were conducted in information boards, provided by AIM, can be found at search of Iron Age round houses, whose location had been both locations. suggested by dowsing.

Printed by PK InPrint Ltd, 01494 452266. Published March 2013. All photographs courtesy of John Laker.