Great Linford Manor Park Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire

Archaeological Watching Brief

for The Parks Trust

CA Project: 660924 Site Code: GLM17 CA Report: 17554 HER Ref: EMK1317

October 2017

Great Linford Manor Park Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 660924 Site Code: GLM17 HER Ref: EMK1317 CA Report: 17554

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 6/9/17 SB and AKM JN Draft Internal review

B 10/10/17 AKM PB Draft Internal review MLC

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.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 5

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 6

5. RESULTS (FIG. 3) ...... 6

6. DISCUSSION ...... 8

7. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 8

8. REFERENCES ...... 8

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 10

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 11

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000). Fig. 2 Watching brief location plan (1:1,250) Fig. 3a Watching brief area, looking north-west Fig. 3b Old pond foundation, looking south Fig. 3c Retaining wall and decorated stone element, looking south

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Great Linford Manor Park Location: Milton Keynes NGR: 485159 242330 Type: Watching Brief Date: 04-05 September 2017 Location of Archive: To be deposited with Milton Keynes Museum Accession Number: AYCBM: 2017.131 Site Code: GLM17

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with hydrological investigations at Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

Several post-medieval stone features were uncovered, possibly relating to a structure at the Hine Spring visible on the 1841 tithe map. Puddling clay was identified at the base of the pond, covered by demolition rubble and refuse material related to the disuse of the pond up to the present day. Later 20th century hydrological works have heavily disturbed the area, especially to the east of the pond, where the wall is no longer evident and modern hardcore has been deposited.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In September 2017 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for The Parks Trust at Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (centred at NGR:485159 242330; Fig. 1). The Parks Trust has been awarded Development Stage funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery “Parks for People” programme to “reveal, revive and restore” Great Linford Manor Park (The Parks Trust 2017). The watching brief was undertaken during groundworks associated with the build condition and hydrological investigations being carried out during the development phase.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out on the recommendation of Nick Crank, Milton Keynes Council Senior Archaeological Officer (MKCSAO). A subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) was produced by CA (2017) and approved by Milton Keynes Council acting on the advice of Nick Crank. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014). It was monitored by Nick Crank, including a site visit on 4th September 2017.

The site

1.3 The site lies immediately south of an 18th century ornamental water garden (Fig. 2), 100m south of the Grand Union Canal, 100m to the north-west of the privately owned Great Linford Manor and immediately to the north of late 17th century alms- houses. The site is situated at approximately 70m above Ordnance Datum (aOD), with the ground level dropping away slowly to the north (towards the Grand Union Canal) and rising to the south.

1.4 The site covers approximately 25m2 and is currently part of a public park associated with the privately owned Great Linford Manor. The park is bisected by the Grand Union Canal and the Newport Pagnell railway.

1.5 The underlying bedrock geology of the area consists of limestone and clay of the Blisworth Formation formed during the Jurassic Period (BGS 2017). No superficial deposits are recorded by the BGS. No natural geology was encountered during the watching brief although the manhole at the south of the site covers a spring welling from the natural bedrock described above.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The archaeological background for the manor and grounds is drawn from information contained in the Draft Conservation Management Plan (DCMP) (AHaCL 2013). The following summary has been taken from the DCMP and is supplemented by Historic Environment Record (HER) data for the site and surrounding area.

Prehistoric (Pre AD43)

2.2 Aerial photography identified a possible prehistoric (Early Neolithic to Bronze Age) ring ditch (MMK1199) within the northern part of the manor grounds, just north of the canal to the west of the Lower Pond (MMK5455) and Cascade (MMK5456).

Early medieval (AD410 – AD1066) 2.3 A truncated Saxon soil sealed beneath the medieval floor levels of St Andrew’s Parish Church (MMK2084) contained abraded Saxon pottery fragments and bone. In addition, service trenching in the graveyard produced additional pottery sherds, suggesting an early to mid-Saxon settlement in the area of the church, which may date to the later Saxon period. Excavation work by Milton Keynes Archaeological Unit in the nave of the church (EMK75) uncovered the foundations of the pre-12th century church building.

Medieval – Post-medieval (AD1066 – AD1800) The manor and grounds 2.4 The first building, a substantial medieval or Tudor hall house (MMK2473), was erected at Great Linford in the 14th or 15th century; previous excavation work (EMK518) by Milton Keynes Archaeological Unit revealed stone foundations of the hall, cross-passage and service room. Its footprint is now located partially under the South Pavilion. In 1633 the Manor House (MMK2472) was acquired by Sir Richard Napier and subsequently sold to Sir William Pritchard by 1679. Between1688-90 the original house was demolished and a new manor constructed on the opposite side of the main street. The single-storey, stone alms-houses (MMK2858) were constructed within the grounds between 1696-97, with the village church St Andrew’s Parish Church (MMK2084) being subject to large-scale renovation works between 1709-10. The early manor grounds were laid out as a formal system of three terraces at the rear of the house, with two steep, distinct banks to the north and south.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

2.5 Between 1720-40 the Manor House (MMK2471) was altered on at least two separate occasions, firstly through the addition of the North and South Pavilions (around 1725), formalising a more axial plan of the grounds. The Great Room or Ballroom was added sometime between 1740-50. An inventory dating to 1758 records 21 rooms within the building, as well as a large service area on the north side. Landscape designer Richard Woods produced a landscape design plan for the neighbouring estate of Little Linford in 1761 but it is not clear if this was implemented. There were plans for the intensive re-landscaping of the manor grounds, introducing the water gardens, Doric seat (MMK5782) and ha-ha consistent with the English Landscape style. The manor itself was re-fronted around 1780, with the walled garden likely appearing during this time.

2.6 During the 19th century the estate was severely truncated by the construction of the Grand Union Canal in 1800, followed by the completion of the Newport Pagnell Railway Company line, just beyond and parallel to the canal, in 1865. The railway line was taken over in 1875 by the London & North Western Railway, and converted into a pedestrian and cycle way after its closure in 1964.

2.7 The Manor and Grounds passed from private ownership to the Development Corporation during the 20th century. The Manor was subsequently converted into an arts centre, with new access ways and parking areas added. The Memorial Hall was also constructed alongside the grounds, and the Manor and gardens changed ownership several times. However, by 1992 estate ownership was split between the Milton Keynes Parks Trust, looking after the landscape, Buckinghamshire County Council and the current private owners of Linford Manor. The freehold of the park is currently with Milton Keynes Council, subject to The Parks Trust’s 999 year leasehold.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

 To monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks;

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

 At the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2017). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising machine excavation of the area to a depth of 0.15m. Three sondages were excavated below this level to a maximum depth of 0.70m. One sondage was dug centrally to the watching brief area, one against the upstanding dry-stone wall to the south and one at the west side of the site, although this last one was largely hand dug.

4.2 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual.

4.3 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes. The site archive will be deposited with Milton Keynes Museum under accession number AYBCM: 2017.131. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIG. 3)

5.1 No natural geological substrate was uncovered during the works.

5.2 The earliest feature encountered consisted of the foundation cut 101=109, mortar foundations 104=108 and wall 102=103 of a rectilinear pond feature (Fig. 3c). Wall 102 was the south wall of the pond feature, parts of which were visible up to 0.21m above ground-level. It continued for 0.30m below ground level and measured more than 3.30m in length. A width for wall 102 could not be obtained as it extended into an unexcavated bank. It was a dry-stone wall of roughly faced limestone, with small stones (with an average size of 0.26m length x 0.06m depth) above foundation course 104. The single foundation course consisted of well-faced, heavy limestone

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

(with an average size of 0.80m length x 0.27m depth) packed into construction cut 101 and bonded with mortar 104 (fig. 3b). 101 and 104 were 2.20m in length and more than 0.24m wide but remain unexcavated so their depth is unknown. 104 was a mid-yellow-brown sandy gravel with small angular stones. On the east side of site 101 and 104 were overlain, and likely destroyed, by modern hardcore, probably related to the construction of the modern manholes and drainage pipe.

5.3 Wall 103, foundation 108 and construction cut 109 were 1m wide and more than 1m in length as they extended beyond the width of the sondage. 103 was encountered 0.10m below ground level and consisted of only a single course of unfaced, heavily disturbed limestone foundation stones (with an average size of 0.40m x 0.30m x 0.15m). Many smaller stones, similar to the dry stone walling of 102 were also found dispersed in the area.

5.4 Structure 110 consisted of well-dressed limestone (with an average size of 0.40m x 0.25m x 0.25m) with one stone being decorated and possibly reused from another structure (Fig. 3c). It butted against 102 and related to a secondary phase of the pond construction. This has been largely truncated by a modern, brick manhole cover and drainage pipe for the Hine Spring. Between the modern manhole and structure 110 was a gap that had been largely filled in with sand and vegetation but which probably served much the same purpose as the modern manhole. Due to the truncation a function for 110 was hard to infer, it likely relates to an internal sub- division.

5.5 Abutting walls 102 and103 were layers of puddling clay; layer 105 butted 102 and was encountered at 0.30m below ground-level while layer 106 butted 103 and was encountered at 0.10m below ground-level. Both layers had a maximum depth of 0.10m.

5.6 Overlying layers 105 and106 was deposit 107, a layer of demolition rubble and general refuse material spread across the much of the area. 107 was encountered at 0.10m below ground-level and had a maximum depth of 0.35m.

5.7 Overlying the whole site was 100; a layer of vegetation and decaying organic matter with a maximum depth of 0.20m.

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 The works supervised during this watching brief exposed a retaining wall and foundations which likely enclosed a small extension to the existing pond just to the north of the watching brief area (Fig.3c). The techniques used for its construction appear broadly similar to the other ponds in the park. The former pond extension was backfilled with rubble containing finds of a modern date. Evidence for the existence of a small extension to the larger pond adjacent to the north can be found in the 1841 Tithe Map (as reproduced in AHaCL 2013, p.27). Subsequently the area has been heavily disturbed by modern activity including two manholes.

6.2 It is possible that the decorated block of stone (Fig. 3c) that forms part of structure 110 represents material taken from another structure; the alignment of the decorative carving does not seem to match the way the stone was orientated in relation to its surroundings. There is however no indication regarding the stone’s origin, though it may possibly have been part of a spring head relating to the original extension of the pond.

7. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Sam Bithell, assisted by Callum Ruse. The report was written by Sam Bithell and Anna Moosbauer. The illustrations were prepared by Esther Escudero. The archive has been compiled by Emily Evans, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Michelle Collings, MCIfA.

8. REFERENCES

AHaCL (Architectural and Conservation Limited) 2013. Great Linford Manor Grounds, Milton Keynes: Draft Conservation Management Plan.

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2017. Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 1 June 2017

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017. Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Historic Environment Website (HER) 2017. https://historicengland.org.uk/ Accessed 6 September 2017

The Parks Trust 2017. Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes: Geophysical survey and Archaeology Watching Brief – Brief for Consultants.

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L W (m) Depth/thic Spot- No. No. interpretation (m) kness (m) date 1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark Brown-grey silty clay, high >7.00 >3.50 0.15 modern organic content m 1 101 Cut Foundation cut for Unexcavated linear foundation 2.20 >0.24 UX Post-med South pond wall cut, same as 109 1 102 Structure 101 South pond wall and Foundations and dry stone wall, >3.30 >0.25 0.51 Post-med foundations roughly faced, angular limestone, up to 10 courses standing, same as 103 1 103 Structure 109 West pond wall Unfaced, angular limestone >1.00 1.00 0.15 Post-med foundations foundations, only a single course remaining, same as 102 1 104 Fill 101 Mortar for foundations Mid yellow-brown sandy mortar 2.20 >0.24 UX Post-med of South pond wall and angular gravel, same as 108 1 105 Layer Puddling clay in base Mid grey-blue clay, waterlogged, 3.00 1.20 UX Post-med of pond same as 106 1 106 Layer Puddling clay in base Mid grey-blue clay, waterlogged, >1.00 >0.60 UX Post-med of pond same as 105 1 107 Layer Demolition rubble and Dark grey-brown clayed silt, >4.00 >1.00 UX Post-med refuse material frequent angular limestone rubble 1 108 Fill 109 Mortar for foundations Mid yellow-brown sandy mortar >1.00 1.00 UX Post-med of West pond wall and angular gravel, same as 104 1 109 Cut Foundation cut for Unexcavated linear foundation >1.00 1.00 UX Post-med West pond wall cut, same as 101 1 110 Structure Original decorated Well faced, decorated >0.60 0.25 0.25 Post-med stone structure at head limestone, no bonding material, of spring, post-dates butts 102 102

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Great Linford Manor Park Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with hydrological investigations at Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

Several post-medieval, stone features were uncovered possibly relating to a structure at the Hine Spring visible on the 1841 tithe map. Puddling clay was identified at the base of the pond covered by demolition rubble and refuse material related to the disuse of the pond up to the present day. Later 20th century hydrological works have heavily disturbed the area, especially to the E of the pond where the wall is no longer evident and modern hardcore has been deposited. Project dates 04/09/2017 to 05/09/2017 Project type Watching Brief Previous work Not known Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Study area (M2/ha) c. 25m2 Site co-ordinates 485159 242330 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Milton Keynes Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Michelle Collings Project Supervisor Sam Bithell MONUMENT TYPE Garden pool SIGNIFICANT FINDS none PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive: Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical N/A Paper Milton Keynes Museum/ Trench sheets, context AYBCM:2017.131 sheets, permatrace Digital Milton Keynes Museum/ Digital photos AYBCM:2017.131 BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 17554

11 4 483000 4 485000 4 487000 8 8 8 3 5 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

224400044000

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224000040000

N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk CAMBRIDGESHIRE e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes

NORTHAMPTONSHIREMILTON KEYNES FIGURE TITLE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Site location plan LUTON BEDFORDSHIRE 0 1km

OXFORDSHIRE FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY EE PROJECT NO. 660924 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 20/09/2017 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright HERTFORDSHIRE Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY MC SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 N 2 FIGURE NO. 01908 564660 cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 01285 771022 @ 01264 347630 01392 826185 660924 20/09/2017 1:1,250 www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

enquiries Andover Cirencester Exeter Milton Keynes w e 1:1250 Site boundary brief area Watching PROJECT NO. DATE SCALE@A3 EE DJB MC Cotswold Archaeology 0 50m c Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permissionReproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office on behalf of of Ordnance Survey Archaeology Ltd 100002109 Cotswold copyright Crown Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes Watching brief location plan Watching PROJECT TITLE FIGURE TITLE DRAWN BY DRAWN CHECKED BY APPROVED BY Hall Field

Playing HIGH STREET HIGH

DEERFERN CL The Manor House The 448525085250

Wilderness

Grand Union Canal Union Grand Towing Path Towing Great Linford Manor Park Great Linford Weir Sluice

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Church a a

St Andrews P

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0 0 K 5 0 4 2 2 2 4 4 2 242450 2 242200 P A B

Watching brief area, looking north-west Old pound foundation 104, looking south (1m scale)

wall 102 decorated stone foundation 104 in structure 110

layerlayer 105105 Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Great Linford Manor Park, Milton Keynes

FIGURE TITLE Photographs Retaining wall 102 and decorated stone element 110, looking south (1m scales)

DRAWN BY EE PROJECT NO. 660924 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 20/09/2017 APPROVED BY MC SCALE@A3 NA 3