London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd
October 2010 London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010 London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
© The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited 2009, All rights reserved Maps reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey License number 0100048440 Aerial images are reproduced by permission of Getmapping Plc 2009 in association with Pro Map. All rights reserved. License number 100020449 London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
Contents
1.0 Introduction...... 6 Cultural Heritage ...... 7 Location,Geology and Topography ...... 8 The Detailed Geography of the Eton Rowing Lake Course ...... 5 Sources Consulted ...... 11
2.0 Planning Context...... 12 National Guidance...... 12 Local Guidance ...... 15
3.0 The Recorded Cultural Heritage Resource...... 19 Designated Cultural Heritage Assets ...... 19 Introduction to previous archaeological work...... 19 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic (5000,000 - 4,000 BC) ...... 20
Neolithic (4,000BC - 2400 BC)...... 21
The Bronze Age (2400 BC - 800 BC)...... 24
The Iron Age (800 BC - AD43)...... 26
The Roman Period (AD43 - 410) ...... 28
The Anglo-Saxon Period (AD410 - 1066) ...... 29
The Medieval Period (AD1066 - 1485)...... 30
The Post-Medieval and Modern Period (AD1485+) ...... 32
The Built Historic Environment...... 33
The Historic Landscape...... 35
4.0 Archaeological Potential and Survival...... 37 Previous Impacts and Survival...... 37 Archaeological Potential...... 38
5.0 Potential Impacts and Mitigation ...... 40 Overview of the Proposals ...... 40 London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
Walkover Survey ...... 41 Archaeological Assets - Potential Impacts...... 43 Built Heritage Assets - Potential Impacts ...... 43 Histoic Landscape Assets - Potential Assets...... 44
Mitigation Options...... 44
6.0 Conclusion...... 46
Appendices
Appendix 4A: Cultural Heritage Assets Gazetteer - Identified Features in 1km Study Area Appendix 4B: Cultural Heritage Assets Gazetteer - Identified Features in Dorney Lake London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.1.1 This statement is prepared on behalf of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The statement is submitted in support of the planning applications for the Eton Dorney Olympic and Paralympic venue, which will host Olympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint events and Paralympic Rowing events.
1.1.2 The Eton Dorney venue falls within the administrative boundaries of two Local Authorities, namely South Buckinghamshire District Council (SBDC) and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM). The site also falls within the boundaries of Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC). For the purposes of these planning applications, the venue comprises Dorney Lake, Windsor Racecourse and the River Thames as the three principal components.
1.1.3 This submission consists of five planning applications which comprise the following:
• Planning application for the Temporary Pedestrian River Crossing submitted to SBDC;
• Planning application for the Temporary Pedestrian River Crossing submitted to RBWM;
• Planning application for the Olympic Transport Hub at Windsor Racecourse submitted to RBWM;
• Planning application for Eton Dorney Rowing Lake overlay submitted to SBDC; and
• Planning application for the Variation of Condition 15 of planning permission SBD/8201/05, submitted to BCC.
1.1.4 The full Descriptions of Development for the individual applications are set out within the supporting Planning Statement and on the relevant planning application forms.
1.1.5 This statement relates to the Eton Dorney venue and has been prepared for submission in support of each of the individual planning applications.
1.1.6 On 6 July 2005 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (“2012 Games”) to London. The ODA is the public London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
body responsible for developing and building the new venues and infrastructure for the 2012 Games and LOCOG is responsible for preparing and staging the Games, including the temporary venues and overlay.
1.1.7 Eton Dorney was selected as the venue for Olympic Rowing and Canoe Sprint events and Paralympic Rowing Events, as part of the “London Bid” for the Games.
1.1.8 London 2012 is required to apply for planning permission for operations and changes in use of land for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic events that constitute development requiring planning permission. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
1.1. Cultural Heritage
Context
1.1. Oxford Archaeology (OA) have been jointly commissioned by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to carry out an cultural heritage asset desk-based assessment for the Eton Dorney Venue. The location of these sites is shown on Figure 4.1. For the purposes of this report the assessment of the Dorney Lake includes the Paralympic Transport Hub (PTH) as within the area of the Site. The assessment of the Olympic Transport Hub is included within the section dealing with the Racecourse Site.
1.2. LOCOG and the ODA propose to construct a number of temporary facilities at the Eton Dorney Venue in order to accommodate the 2012 Games. These proposals are set out in detail in the Design and Access Statement.
1.3. The aim of this project is:
• to provide an assessment of the cultural heritage potential of the sites;
• to describe the impacts of previous development on the survival of any archaeological remains and historic landscape assets;
• to assess the impact of the proposals on the surviving cultural heritage assets including any settings issues; and
• to present proposals for the most likely strategy for the mitigation of any such impacts defined.
1.4. This chapter is supported by:
• Appendix 4A - a list of sources and references;
• Appendix 4B - a gazetteer of all identified cultural heritage assets referred to; and
• Five figures - numbered 4.1 to 4.5, showing the location of the sites, the detailed local geology, identified assets in a 1km study area, a detailed features map of the Lake site and previous impacts to the Lake site.
1.5. Location, Geology and Topography London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
1.6. The Eton Rowing Course site lies on the north bank of the river Thames between the village of Dorney and the hamlet of Boveney, some 2.5 km west of Eton (Figure 4.1). The Rowing Course and Return Lane were constructed between 1996 and 2006 on land owned by Eton College, and lie on a north-west to south-east alignment, the Start End being at the north-west, and the boathouse at the Finish End.
1.7. The geology of the Eton Rowing Course consists of Drift deposits of Pleistocene gravels over London Clay (BGS sheet 269; Windsor, Solid and Drift 1981; 1999; Figure 4.2). The area is shown simply as `alluvial gravels’ on the 1981 edition, and (again without subdivision) as `mainly silt and clay’ on the 1999 edition. These have left behind deep deposits of waterlain clays, peat deposits and alluvial silts, hence the description as `mainly silt and clay’. The geology of the Windsor Racecourse site is recorded on both the 1981 and the 1999 edition maps as alluvium (BGS sheet 269; Windsor, Solid and Drift, 1981; 1999).
1.8. Prior to the construction of the Rowing Course the ground sloped gently from north- west to south-east, with dips corresponding to the location of the former basins and channels. The Racecourse site is essentially flat, although a very slight slope is evident from west to east, east of the Marina.
1.9. The Detailed Geology of the Eton Rowing Lake Course
1.10. As the previous archaeological investigations have shown, the varying geology significantly affects the character of archaeological remains across the Lake site and the Racecourse site. Cropmarks are only visible on the gravel terrace deposits, due to the increased water-retention of the alluvial deposits in the basins and their obscuration of earlier features. Archaeological features dug below the ground, such as pits and ditches, occur predominately, though not exclusively, on the higher and drier gravel terraces, due to the relatively high water table. Surface occupation horizons and features such as hearths, in contrast, only survive on the floodplain, where protected from ploughing by a deep covering of alluvium. The deeper parts of the basins contain preserved peat deposits, while the former channels contain both waterlogged peats and other fluvial deposits, within which were found preserved wooden structures and other artefacts.
1.11. The geology of the Rowing Course has been investigated in detail and it is considered highly likely that similar geological conditions underlie the Racecourse site. A detailed understanding of the origins and extent of these deposits was established during construction of the Rowing Course (see section 3.1.1 and Figure 4.2). A levels survey of the Eton Rowing Course site was carried out prior to London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
construction, and this has also been used to assist in establishing the geological make-up of the site.
1.12. The gravel terrace deposits directly underlie the modern topsoil at the west and east ends of the Rowing Course site, although the gravel is cut through by a former loop of the Thames (labelled Channel T and V on Figure 4.2), separating an area of gravel in the centre of the Rowing Course development area. There was also a triangle of gravel (labelled Terrace X) in the centre of the Site, west and east of which were broad basins, Basin R and Basin W. The north part of Basin R was only investigated by limited archaeological evaluation trenching, but these were sufficient to determine the general sequence (OA 1995, 3.2.3 and 3.2.4 and Figures 4 and 5). Evaluation of the field west of the boundary was limited to the south-east end, and these trenches revealed more than 2 m of waterlain deposits, but were not bottomed. On the south side Basin R was investigated both by evaluation and by excavation areas Ex1-3 (OA 1995, 3.2.4, Figure 5; Allen and Welsh 1996-98). Here the sequence of deposits was similar to that on the north, but the basin was shallower and the deposits correspondingly thinner.
1.13. Basin R was originally a lake basin in the Early Holocene, but which silted up gradually, filling with deposits of clay, reed bed peat and later alluvium, and had become seasonally dry floodplains by the Neolithic (4000 BC). Basins R and W were linked by a former channel cut between Terrace X and the main central gravel island, and their silting sequence was similar. Basin W was only investigated by evaluation trenches, but enough were dug to establish the general sequence of infilling (OA 1996, 4.2 and 4.3 and Figures 3 and 4). As in Basin R, Basin W was deepest on the north, and became shallower to the south-east.
1.14. A former major channel of the river Thames, Channel T, flowed west to east through the middle of Basin R (OA 1995, 3.2.4 and Figure 5). This was investigated by area excavations in areas Ex1 and Area 3 (Allen and Welsh 1996), in Areas 1, Ex2 and 5 (Allen and Welsh 1997), and in Areas Ex3, 16 and 14 (Allen and Welsh 1998), although the high water table meant that the base of the channel was not reached. At the east edge of the Eton Rowing Course development area Channel T met and cut into another former major channel that ran south-east down the eastern limit of the development area. The Cress Brook follows the line of this former channel, and historic maps show that it continued to flow (though much reduced) into the 20th century. This area was investigated by numerous evaluation trenches, and by excavations in Areas 3 and 5, with Watching Brief in between (OA 1995, 3.2.6 and 3.2.7, and Figures 7 and 8; OA 1996, 7.3 and Figure 14; Allen and Welsh 1996, 1997 and 1998). London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
1.15. East of Area 3 the Thames palaeochannel and the Cress Brook channel divided again, the Cress Brook channel continuing eastwards north of Boveney and rejoining the Thames south of Eton Wick, while the Thames palaeochannel (Channel V) turned south and rejoined the modern Thames just west of Boveney. No evaluation trenches were dug within the Rowing Course site here, but trenches dug further north, plus area excavation on the west (Area 4) and east (Area 6) sides, allow the sequence to be characterised (OA 1996, 4.8 and Figure 9; Allen and Welsh 1997).
1.16. The gravel terrace surrounded by the loop of the Thames palaeochannel (Channels T and V) had been cut through by yet another ancient palaeochannel, which had later been blocked by further gravels and sands, leaving an open channel downstream of the blocking (labelled Inlet Z). Inlet Z was investigated both by evaluation trenches and by excavation in Area 15 and Area 4. It first filled with pale silts and clays, which were washed away on the west side by a deeper channel that gradually silted up with waterlogged sands overlain by deep peat deposits of Mesolithic and Neolithic date, overlain at the top by alluvial deposits containing Iron Age and Roman finds (OA 1996, 4.8.11-14 and Figure 9; Allen and Welsh 1997; Parker and Robinson 2003).
1.17. A smaller palaeochannel (Channel S on Figure 4.2) ran south from the Cress Brook channel at the north corner of the Rowing Course development area, and then ran south-east to join Channel T at the north end of Basin R. This channel was still accumulating peat into later prehistory (OA 1995, 3.2.5 and Figure 6), but had silted up before the Roman period. Prior to the construction of the Rowing Course the ground sloped gently from north-west to south-east, with dips corresponding to the location of the former basins and channels.
1.18. Sources Consulted
1.19. The data used in this assessment was originally collected and collated in 2002 for a previous study and has been supplemented by further searches in both 2007 (OA 2002; OA 2008) and 2010 for this assessment The following sources were updated where necessary and expanded to include the larger Study Area in preparing this assessment:
• The Buckinghamshire Heritage Environment Record (Bucks HER; held by Buckinghamshire County Council);
• The Berkshire Heritage Environment Record (held by Berkshire Archaeology);
• The National Monument Record (NMR; held by English Heritage); London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
• The National Aerial Photographic Collection held by English Heritage at the NMR in Swindon and the Aerial Photographic collection held by the University of Cambridge;
• The Buckinghamshire HER was visited in 2007 and 2010 in order to examine additional aerial photographs held of the Eton Rowing Lake and the Racecourse;
• The Buckinghamshire Record Office, Aylesbury; and
• The Berkshire Record Office, Reading.
1.20. The Bucks HER, the Berks HER and the NMR supplied digital data on all known sites and events within a 1km Study Area surrounding the sites (Figure 4.3). A walkover survey of the sites was undertaken by OA on the 15th of April 2010. The objectives of the survey were to:
• Confirm the presence/absence of previously known heritage assets (‘ground- truth’);
• Identify potential new heritage assets;
• Identify areas where survival may be compromised;
• Identify potential impacts to the setting of the built heritage within and close to the sites; and
• Record the land use of the sites and the nature of extant boundaries.
1.21. Appendix 4A is a gazetteer of identified heritage assets within the 1km Study Area. Each entry has been allocated an OA number, added to the gazetteer, and marked on Figures 4.3 and 4.4, where appropriate. A full list of sources consulted can be found in Appendix 4B. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
2.0 Planning Context
2.1. National Guidance
2.2. Planning Policy Statement 5: (PPS5) Planning for the Historic Environment (issued March 2010) sets out the Government’s planning policies on the conservation of the historic environment and the rationale for its conservation. The policy takes a holistic approach to the historic environment, identifying all elements within this environment that are worthy of consideration in planning matters as ‘heritage assets’. A heritage asset is identified by PPS5 as an environmental component that holds meaning for society over and above its functionality. This term includes buildings, parks and gardens, standing, buried and submerged remains, areas, sites and landscapes, whether designated or not and whether or not capable of designation.
2.3. Policy HE3 states: ‘3.1 Regional spatial strategies (RSS) and local development frameworks (LDF) should set out a positive, proactive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment in their area, taking into account the variations in type and distribution of heritage asset, as well as the contribution made by the historic environment by virtue of:
• its influence on the character of the environment and an area’s sense of place;
• its potential to be a catalyst for regeneration in an area, in particular through leisure, tourism and economic development
• the stimulus it can provide to inspire new development of imaginative and high quality design
• the re-use of existing fabric, minimising waste; and
• its mixed and flexible patterns of land use that are likely to be, and remain, sustainable.
• ‘HE 3.2 The level of detail contained in an RSS or LDF should reflect the scale of the area covered by the plan and the significance of the heritage assets within it.’
2.4. ‘HE 3.3 At a regional level, the character and significance of the historic environment should inform the RSS with particular attention paid to the landscapes and groupings or types of heritage assets that give distinctive identity to the region or areas within it. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
Some individual heritage assets such as World Heritage Sites are likely to have regional significance in plan-making.’
2.5. ‘‘HE 3.4 At a local level, plans should consider the qualities and local distinctiveness of the historic environment and how these can contribute to the development of the spatial vision in the local development framework core strategy. Heritage assets can be used to ensure continued sustainability of an area and promote a sense of place. Plans at a local level are likely to consider investment in and enhancement of historic places, including the public realm, in more detail. They should include consideration of how best to conserve individual, groups or types of heritage assets that are most at risk of loss through neglect, decay or other threats (see also policy HE50).’
2.6. ‘HE7.2 In considering the impact of a proposal on any heritage asset, local planning authorities should take into account the particular nature of the significance of the heritage asset and the value that it holds for this and future generations. This understanding should be used by the local planning authority to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposals.’
2.7. ‘HE7.3 If the evidence suggests that the heritage asset may have a special significance to a particular community that may not be fully understood from the usual process of consultation and assessment, then the local planning authority should take reasonable steps to seek the views of that community.’
2.8. ‘HE7.4 Local planning authorities should take into account:
• the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets, and of utilising their positive role in place-shaping; and
• the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets and the historic environment generally can make to the establishment and maintenance of sustainable communities and economic vitality by virtue of the factors set out in HE3.1.’
2.9. HE7.5 Local planning authorities should take into account the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to the character and local distinctiveness of the historic environment. The consideration of design should include scale, height, massing, alignment, materials and use’
2.10. HE7.6 Where there is evidence of deliberate neglect of or damage to a heritage asset in the hope of obtaining consent, the resultant deteriorated state of the heritage asset should not be a factor taken into account in any decision.’ London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
2.11. ‘HE7.7 Where loss of significance is justified on the merits of new development, local planning authorities should not permit the new development without taking all reasonable steps to ensure the new development will proceed after the loss has occurred by imposing appropriate planning conditions or securing obligations by agreement.’
2.12. Policy HE12 states: ‘HE12.1 A documentary record of our past is not as valuable as retaining the heritage asset and therefore the ability to record evidence of our past should not be a factor in deciding whether a proposal that would result in a heritage asset’s destruction should be given consent.’
2.13. ‘HE12.2 The process of investigating the significance of the historic environment, as part of plan-making or development management, should add to the evidence base for future planning and further the understanding of our past. Local planning authorities should make this information publicly available, including through the relevant historic environment record.’
2.14. ‘HE12.3 Where the loss of the whole or a material part of a heritage asset’s significance is justified, local planning authorities should require the developer to record and advance understanding of the significance of the heritage asset before it is lost, using planning conditions or obligations as appropriate. The extent of the requirement should be proportionate to the nature and level of the asset’s significance. Developers should publish this evidence and deposit copies of the reports with the relevant historic environment record. Local planning authorities should require any archive generated to be deposited with a local museum or other public depository willing to receive it. Local planning authorities should impose planning conditions or obligations to ensure such work is carried out in a timely manner and that the completion of the exercise is properly secured’.
2.15. Local Guidance
2.16. The South-East Plan
2.17. The South East Plan was the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East. It was revoked by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 6 July 2010.
2.18. Buckinghamshire County Structure Plan 1991-2011: Saved Policies London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
2.19. Policy HE 1: Protection of key sites and features. ‘Permission will not be given for any development which would endanger, or have a significant adverse effect on the character or appearance and/or setting of any of the following:
• Listed Buildings;
• Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other important archaeological sites;
• Historic Parks or Gardens;
• Conservation Areas.
2.20. Policy HE 1: ‘Proposals, which would lead to the enhancement of any of these features, will generally be encouraged provided that there is no significant conflict with any other relevant policies in this Plan.’
2.21. South Bucks: Local Plan
2.22. The Council is preparing the South Bucks Local Development Framework. The Local Development Framework will guide the planning of the District to 2026. However, as this is in the early stages of preparation, consideration needs to be given to the Local Plan.
2.23. The Government Office for the South East issued a Direction under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, on 25 September 2007, to SAVE the following policies of the South Bucks Local Plan 1999 (until they are replaced by policies in a new Development Plan).
2.24. These policies are:
• C1 - Development within a Conservation Area;
• C6 - Alterations and Extensions to Listed Buildings;
• C13 - Nationally Important Archaeological Remains; and
• C14 - Other Archaeological Remains.
2.25. Policy C 13 states: ‘Development will not be permitted which is likely to cause demonstrable harm to a site of, or the setting of, nationally important archaeological remains, whether Scheduled or not. When assessing applications affecting nationally important archaeological remains the Council will have regard to the following factors: London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
• the results of evaluation by fieldwork;
• the impact of the proposed development on the archaeological remains;
• measures to mitigate the impact of the proposed development; and
• whether any of those measures can and need to be secured by the imposition of conditions or by legal agreement.’
2.26. Policy C 14 states: ‘When assessing proposals affecting other archaeological remains the Council will have regard to the following:
• the results of evaluation by fieldwork;
• the impact of the proposed development on the archaeological remains;
• measures to mitigate the impact of the proposed development; and
• whether any of those measures can and need to be secured by the imposition of conditions or by legal agreement.’
2.27. ‘Where in-situ preservation is merited development which is likely to cause demonstrable harm to the site or its setting will not be permitted. Where the Council is minded to grant permission for development which would involve the destruction of remains, archaeological investigation and recording of evidence will be required prior to the commencement of and during, the development.’
2.28. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan: Saved Policies 2007
2.29. The Government Office for the South East issued a Direction under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, on 27 September 2007, to SAVE the following policies of the RBWM Plan 203 (until they are replaced by policies in a new Development Plan).
2.30. These policies are:
• CA1 - Development in Conservation Areas;
• CA2 - Guidelines on Development Affecting Conservation Areas;
• CA6 - Car Parking in Conservation Areas; London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
• LB2 - Proposals affecting Listed Buildings or their Setting;
• LB3 - Change of Use of Listed Buildings;
• HG1 - Historic Gardens and Formal Landscape;
• ARCH1 - Development on Scheduled Ancient Monuments;
• ARCH2 - Sites of Archaeological Importance;
• ARCH3 - Sites of Archaeological Importance; and
• ARCH4 - Sites of Archaeological Importance;
2.31. Policy ARCH1 states: ‘There will be a presumption in favour of the preservation of scheduled and nationally important monuments and their settings. Planning permission will not be granted for any development likely to affect the preservation of such monuments and their settings.’
2.32. Policy ARCH2 states: ‘Planning permission will not be granted for proposals adversely affecting sites in Berkshire's sites and monuments record where archaeological features merit in situ preservation unless it can be demonstrated that:
1) The Proposals will not harm the archaeological importance of the site and its setting;
2) Appropriate and acceptable provision is made for the protection and management of the archaeological remains in situ prior to and/or during development.’
2.33. Policy ARCH3 states: ‘Planning permission will not be granted for proposals which appear likely to adversely affect archaeological sites and monuments of unknown importance and areas of high potential unless adequate evaluation enabling the full implications of the development on matters of archaeological interest is carried out by the developer prior to the determination of the application.’
2.34. Policy ARCH4 states: ‘Planning permission will not be granted for proposals which appear likely to adversely affect archaeological sites and monuments of unknown importance and areas of high potential unless adequate evaluation enabling the full implications of the development on matters of archaeological interest is carried out by the developer prior to the determination of the application .’ London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.0 The Recorded Cultural Heritage Resource
3.1. Designated Cultural Heritage Assets
3.2. There are no Cultural Heritage Designated Sites within the secure perimeter for either the Lake or Racecourse sites. The nearest Designated assets are a cluster of Listed Buildings in the core of the historic village of Boveney, immediately to the north of the Lake site, and a Grade I Listed redundant church. The Listed Buildings in Boveney comprise one Grade I structure (the later medieval church) and eight Grade 2 structures dating from between the 16th and 18th centuries (Figure 4.3).
3.3. Introduction to previous archaeological work (Figure 4)
3.4. No recorded archaeological activities have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse site.
3.5. The extensive recorded assets described below principally derived from various archaeological interventions on the Lake site that were undertaken in advance of the construction of the current facilities. The construction of the current facilities will thus have, in many cases, removed much if not all of the archaeological deposits from which these discoveries were made.
3.6. The first significant study of the Rowing Lake site was by Carstairs, who studied cropmarks and fieldwalked the site in 1986. OA acted as consultants to Eton College in preparing the planning application for the Eton Rowing Course from 1987, conducting evaluations in 1987 and 1990 (some trenches from which are in the ODA site), and represented the college on archaeology at the planning enquiry. Eton obtained consent in 1993, and OA conducted further evaluation in 1994 and 1995. The further evaluation covered most of the ODA site. Archaeological excavations in advance of the construction of the Rowing Course were carried out in 1995-7, 1999 and 2000. The width of the Return Lane was revised in 2001-2, leading to further excavation in 2003. A last Watching Brief was carried out in 2004.
3.7. The evaluations and excavations revealed a complex and changing past landscape within and around the Lake site, with significant remains of every period from Mesolithic (9000-4000 BC) to Anglo-Saxon (AD 410-1066). It is important to note that apparent paucity of archaeological sites and finds from the Racecourse site reflects the low level of archaeological interventions rather than a low archaeological potential. The Racecourse site sits in a similar riverside location in the local landscape and it is very likely that the Racecourse site also contains significant but currently unrecorded archaeological deposits. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.8. The geology significantly affects the character of archaeological remains across the site. Cropmarks are only visible on the gravel terrace deposits, due to the increased water-retention of the alluvial deposits in the basins. Archaeological features dug below the ground, such as pits and ditches, occur predominately, though not exclusively, on the higher and drier gravel terraces, due to the relatively high water table. Surface occupation horizons and features such as hearths, in contrast, only survive on the floodplain, where protected from ploughing by a deep covering of alluvium. The deeper parts of the basins contain preserved peat deposits, while the former channels contain both waterlogged peats and other fluvial deposits, within which were found preserved wooden structures and other artefacts.
3.9. Not all of the evidence can be pinpointed to discrete archaeological `sites’, but belongs to zones of activity of various types. Similarly, the channel and floodplain areas contain a wide variety of environmental evidence of past environments, but although these were sampled at specific points during the archaeological investigations for the Rowing Course, they are not confined to these locations. The gazetteer indicates the key archaeological discoveries (indicated in the text below by numbers prefixed by OA, and on plan by dots with the numbers only on Figure 4.3, with more detail on Figure 4.4), but there were many lesser deposits of archaeological material that are not individually numbered, as this would simply have confused the mapping of the evidence. For some gazetteer entries discoveries of several periods were made in close proximity, and these are indicated on plan by a gazetteer number followed by a letter, eg. 14A, 14B, each colour-coded by chronological period.
3.10. Palaeolithic and Mesolithic (500,000 - 4,000 BC)
3.11. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.12. Three Palaeolithic finds have been made within the Wider Study Area. These comprised a flint implement found at Dorney (OA 161) 1.2 km north-west of The Lake and two handaxes; one found to the south of Slough (OA 165) 1.8km north-west of The Lake and the other in a garden in Dedworth (OA 279) some 750 metres south- east of The Racecourse.
3.13. Six Heritage Assets dating from the Mesolithic have been recorded in the Wider Study Area. A large number of struck flints (OA 5) were found in a back garden on the opposite bank to The Lake in the late 1970s (Wymer 1977). Two pebble `maceheads’ of Mesolithic type, together with flint blades and deer bones, were found in Prior’s pit, Water Oakley, some 220 metres to the south-west of The Lake (OA 52A) during London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
gravel extraction (Ford 1987, 59). The frontal portion of a highly mineralised skull (OA 110) was recovered from the Thames near to Monkey Island 280 metres to the north- west of The Lake, while two flint assemblages (OA 115) have been recovered at Weir Bank Stud Farm and Water Oakely some 640 metres to the north-west of The Lake. A number of Tranchet axes (OA 230) have been found at Boveney Lock, on the opposite bank of the Thames to The Racecourse, while mixed finds have been recovered from sites at Boveney (OA 239) around 40 metres north-east of The Lake and at Water Oakley, 150 metres to the south-west of it.
3.14. Two possible Late Upper Palaeolithic finds were made within the area of the Rowing Lake. These comprised two flint blades from evaluation Tr. 165 (OA 1). Early Mesolithic struck flints were found in three locations on the gravel terrace, in the top of a periglacial swallow hole in Area 24 (OA 2), close to Channel S in Area 20 (OA 3) and in Trenches 173 and 165 on the edge of Basin R (OA 4). Further finds made along the gravel terrace here during archaeological evaluation (OA, 1995) suggest that there may have been temporary along this stretch of the river.
3.15. Later Mesolithic activity was more widespread, but was on a much smaller scale. Along the levees (banks) of the former Thames channel in Trench 169, on Terrace Y, in Area 5 and Area 6 small clusters of struck flints show temporary encampments (OA 6-9), and tree-holes were used as shelters for tool manufacture while hunting (OA 10). An antler mattock was found on the levee in Ex3 (OA 11A), and a stone weight in Area 14 (OA 12).
3.16. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.17. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.18. The Racecourse
3.19. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse.
3.20. Neolithic (4,000 BC - 2400 BC)
3.21. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.22. Eight Heritage Assets have been identified within the wider Study Area. A mortuary enclosure has been identified at South Field, Eton Wick (OA 222), around 150 metres to the north of The Racecourse. This site was excavated extensively in the mid London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
1980s. A preserved antler comb along with human remains and fragments of Neolithic pottery (OA 52B) were recovered from peat deposits at Hoveringham gravel pit, located on the opposite bank of the Thames, directly south-west of The Lake.
3.23. A possible long barrow (OA 132) has been noted as a cropmark feature from aerial photographs around 700 metres to the north-west of The Lake. Neolithic material was also recovered during excavations by OA at Cippenham (OA 167), 1.8km to the north-east of The Lake in the early 1990s. Three unretouched flint flakes (OA 173) were found at Slough Sewage Treatment Works (STW) in 2004, while more worked flints (OA 188) were recovered during work at Manor Farm STW in 1991. A small flint adze was found in the garden of a house at Oakley Green (OA 249) some 150 metre south-west of The Lake in 1963, while a polished axe (OA 278) was recovered from a garden in Dedworth, Windsor around 700 metres to the south-east of the Racecourse. Middle and Late Neolithic pottery and other finds also came from the midden and from tree-holes, plus two Neolithic crouched human burials on the northern edge of the hollow (Allen et al. 2000).
3.24. The Lake
3.25. In Area 6 a shallow hollow ran west-east for 200 m, (OA 13), and contained Early Neolithic middens on a preserved land surface, and tree-holes filled with finds, one of the largest assemblages of finds of this period anywhere in Britain (Allen and Welsh 1997, 1998). As such the site was deemed to be of national importance. Middle and Late Neolithic pottery and other finds also came from the midden and from tree-holes, plus two Neolithic crouched human burials on the northern edge of the hollow (Allen et al. 2000)
3.26. A similar length of the hollow was investigated in Area 10 (OA 14A). Here undisturbed deposits of Early Neolithic material were found at the very bottom of the hollow. The range of material was very large, and included Middle and Late Neolithic finds. A second smaller spread of Early Neolithic struck flint and pottery (OA 15) was found in a patch of preserved soil in Tr. 88 at the very south-east corner of Area 10 (OA 1996, 4.10 and Figure 11). A smaller Early Neolithic settlement was found on the gravel in Area 16 (OA 16). There were also tree-throw holes with Middle Neolithic pottery, and Area 16 also contained two late Neolithic pits. A scatter of tree-throw holes containing Neolithic pottery or struck flint (OA 17A) was also found on Terrace X in excavation Ex1. Middle Neolithic pottery was also found in evaluation trenches H-J (OA 18) and 183 (OA 19) north of Channel S, suggesting a further focus of activity on the gravel terrace here. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.27. Beyond the Rowing Course some 200 m to the north is the site of a suspected Neolithic causewayed enclosure (OA 20; Carstairs 1986 Site D; Dyer 1996). Evaluation trenches were dug beyond the north end of the Eton Rowing Course to investigate this, but no clear indication of Neolithic features was found (OA 1991; OA 1995, 3.2.1 and Figure 2). A photogrammetric survey of this site was carried out by RCHME (OA 158). Tree-holes containing Middle Neolithic pottery and struck flint (OA 21) were found along the line of the access road north of the Start End of the Rowing Course (Allen et al. forthcoming). A background scatter of Early and Middle Neolithic pottery and struck flint was also found across Areas 20 and 24, and a Late Neolithic pit (OA 22) was found on Area 24 (Allen and Mitchell 2001).
3.28. At the north-west end of The Lake is a large cropmark ring-ditch (OA 23A), with two or three concentric ditch circuits (Carstairs 1986). A geophysical survey of this was carried out by P Catherall in 2001, confirming the triple ditch circuits.
3.29. Human skulls and other bones were also deposited in the river from the early Neolithic (OA 24 and 25), while a whole Late Neolithic human skeleton (OA 26) dated by radiocarbon to 2880-2580 cal. BC (OxA-8817; 4155 ±45 BP) was recovered from below the water level adjacent to Area 6 (Allen et al. 2000). A Neolithic cattle skeleton (OA 11B) was found in the edge of Channel T in Ex3 (Allen and Welsh 1998). A Neolithic antler and ox skull were found in Area 1 (OA 27), and an Early Neolithic fire with pottery upon it in Area 14 (OA 28). Late Neolithic `burnt mounds’ (dense concentrations of burnt flint and charcoal) and pits full of burnt flint and charcoal were also found in Areas 14 (OA 28) and 16 (OA 29).
3.30. A very large flint scatter (OA 30) was found in Basin R (Allen and Welsh 1996, 1997 and 1998, while one probable hunting camp had a cluster of flint working areas where tools including arrowheads were made, concentrated around a fire (OA 31). Early, Middle and Late Neolithic pottery was also found on the floodplain close to the edge of Terrace X (OA 32). Other concentrations of Neolithic activity were found on the floodplain in Areas 5 (OA 33), Area 3 (OA 34) and Area 6.
3.31. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.32. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.33. The Racecourse
3.34. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.35. The Bronze Age (2400 BC - 800 BC)
3.36. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.37. A site dating from the Middle Bronze Age (MBA) to the Late Bronze Age (LBA) was excavated at Weir Bank Stud Farm (OA 114/115) 600 metres to the west of The Lake by Wessex Archaeology in the early 1990s. Two concentrations of ring ditches, each identified as cropmarks from aerial photographs are located to the north and north- west of The Lake and the Racecourse. One of these ring ditch groups has been interpreted as a barrow cemetery (OA 223-4) and is located some 300 metres to the north of The Racecourse. The second (OA 232) is located 500 metres to the north- east of The Lake and is overlain by a later Iron Age field system. A single ring ditch (OA 228) has been identified at Boveney Place, around 800 metres to the north-east of The Lake.
3.38. A number of artefact scatters were also identified from this period. A Mid to Late Bronze Age spearhead was found during gravel extraction on Monkey Island Lane (OA 107) around 500 metres to the south-west of The Lake. A hoard of items (OA 108) that included a socketed axehead, a broken knife, a spearhead and a winged axehead was found just over 500 metres to the south-west of The Lake.
3.39. A number of items have been recovered directly from the Thames itself along the boundaries of both the Lake and The Racecourse. Many such finds have been recovered from the river, which appears to have been used a repository for votive offerings throughout prehistory. These finds include two spearheads (OA 130) found in 1909, an Early Bronze Age (EBA) sword (OA 120) found at Headpile Eyot and a spearhead (OA 122) found above Bray lock, both in 1951. Five LBA swords, a spearhead, dirks, an axe, a knife and a sheath (OA 125) were recovered from near Amerden, Bray. An LBA spear (OA 240) was found at Surley Head Point and another (OA 246) at Oakley court, below Bray, along with a collection of unidentified metalwork (OA 248).
3.40. The Lake
3.41. Cropmarks indicated that there was a group of 4 ring ditches (OA 35) on the gravel terrace at the east end of the site (Carstairs 1986), and these were excavated (Area 6) during the construction of the Rowing Course (Allen and Welsh 1997 and 1998; Allen et al. forthcoming). Three of the ring-ditches were dated. Two to the Early and one to the Middle Bronze. A single ring ditch (OA 36) was also excavated in Area 16 adjacent to Channel T, and was tentatively dated to the Beaker period within the London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
Early Bronze Age. No internal burials were found, but a inhumation of Late Bronze Age date had been dug through the ditch.
3.42. A further ring ditch (OA 37) has been tentatively identified on the gravel terrace north of Channel S. This is a reinterpretation of a cropmark plotted by Carstairs as a D- shaped enclosure (Carstairs 1986), and by the Royal Commission for Historic Monuments (England) as a penannular ditch (RCHME 1995). The cropmark triple ring ditch at the west end of the site was enlarged at least once during the Bronze Age (OA 23B). Two pits in Area 24 are dated by the struck flints within them to the Early Bronze Age (OA 38).
3.43. On the floodplain in Basin R an Early Bronze Age hearth with pottery (OA 39) was found in Tr. 159 north of Channel T. A concentration of Early Bronze Age pottery, flint scatters and burnt areas in Area EX1 indicated a rare Beaker period occupation site preserved almost in situ (OA 40). Large parts of two Early Bronze Age pots were found close to the channel in Ex2 (OA 41).
3.44. At the edge of Basin W and Terrace X a `burnt mound’ (OA 42) lay at the centre of an extensive scatter of fine charcoal. This was dated to 2290-1970 cal. BC (OxA-10228; 3666 ± 40 BP). Early Bronze Age barbed-and-tanged arrowheads and flint scatters were also found on the floodplain between Terrace X and Area 16, and in Area 4 (OA 43).
3.45. In the Middle Bronze Age (1600-1200 BC) the gravel terrace at the north-west end of the site was divided up by a series of ditched rectilinear enclosures (OA 44). The southernmost enclosure was dug around the triple ring ditch (OA23B). A small group of Middle Bronze Age cremations and a single inhumation were found in the adjacent enclosure. South-east of the main group of Bronze Age enclosures cropmarks and limited excavation indicate that further Bronze Age boundaries (OA 45) ran along the centre of the gravel terrace (Carstairs 1986; OA excavations in 2003).
3.46. Another group of similar cropmark enclosures (OA 46) lies on the gravel terrace north-east of Channel S. Limited evaluation recovered a little Bronze Age pottery from one of the ditches, suggesting that they were also Middle Bronze Age.
3.47. On the gravel terrace south of Channel T there were Bronze Age waterholes, deep and shallow pits and later Bronze Age human and animal burials in Area 10 (OA 14B). A later Bronze Age human burial was dug into the ditch of the Area 16 barrow (OA 36). Small pits full of burnt flint and charcoal (OA17B) were found in Area 11. In Area 6 a scatter of later Bronze Age features including an interrupted ditch, a London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
waterhole, several pits and a gully, was also found around and between the ring ditches (OA 35).
3.48. Channel T continued to be active in the Bronze Age. The channel silts contained both artefactual and waterlogged environmental evidence, including a massive Bronze Age wooden structure (OA 47A) in Area 3, and a smaller jetty (OA 48) in Area 5 (Allen and Welsh 1996; Allen and Welsh 1998). Middle and Late Bronze Age human bones were found on a sandbank in the middle of the channel in Area 1 (OA 49). Middle Bronze Age burnt mounds and pits full of burnt flint and charcoal (OA 36) were found on the channel edge in Area 16, together with human bones. Smaller burnt flint deposits were found in Area 3. A burnt mound (OA 50) was also found running down the gravel terrace edge in Tr. 181 just east of the Mesolithic site (OA 1995, 3.2.4 and Figure 5). Two axes were recovered from Monkey Island a few hundred yards upriver, and one (OA 51A) from close to Queen’s Eyot, the island immediately opposite the Bronze Age enclosures in Areas 20 and 24 (OA 44).
3.49. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.50. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.51. The Racecourse
3.52. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse.
3.53. The Iron Age (800 BC - AD43)
3.54. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.55. Eleven Heritage Assets from this period have been identified within the wider Study Area. An extensive series of cropmarks north of Dorney Reach, some 850 metres to the north-west of The Lake (OA 150), have been plotted from aerial photographs and identified as a series of enclosures, field systems and pit alignments that have been provisionally dated to the later Iron Age. A similarly extensive collection of cropmarks (OA 232) is located around 500 metres to the north-east of The Lake. These cropmarks appear to be mainly the former boundaries of field systems very similar to dated Iron age systems noted across central southern England.
3.56. The excavations at Lake End Road West (OA 179) exposed a settlement site consisting of ditches, enclosures and timber structures that had its origins in the 1st London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
century BC. An excavation carried out by OA on the M4 diversion at Taplow revealed part of a trackway and associated timber structures (OA 135) dating from the 1st century BC.
3.57. Some limited evidence for Iron Age settlement was found at Weir Bank Stud Farm (OA 115), 600 metres to the west of The Lake, during the excavations by Wessex Archaeology in 1991. Early Iron Age or Late Bronze Age pottery, a spindle whorl and animal bones (OA 51D) were found in the Hoveringham Gravel Pit on the opposite bank of the Thames to and south-west of, The Lake. Iron Age pottery was also recovered during the excavations at Water Oakley Farm (OA 216), some 190 metres to the west of The Lake, in the late 1950s.
3.58. lA small number of stray finds (OA 253) dated to the Iron Age were recovered close to Water Oakley, Bray. Two iron swords were dredged from the Thames next to The Lake and The Racecourse in the 19th century (OA 124 and 129). The former was in a bronze scabbard and dated to the 1st century BC was found near Armerden in around 1891. The latter was found between Bray Mill and Monkey Island in 1855. An iron axe blade (OA 245) was also recovered close to Oakley Court, Bray.
3.59. The Lake
3.60. An Iron Age settlement at the west edge of Inlet Z (OA 53) was partly uncovered in Area 15 south of the Site (Allen and Welsh 1997), and a further strip of this settlement along the north edge of the widened Return Lane (OA 54) was excavated in 2003 (OA unpublished 2003; Allen et al. Forthcoming). Further Iron Age pits and gullies (OA 14C) were found at the south end of Area 10 (Allen and Welsh 1997). A Middle Iron Age (MIA), enclosure surrounded by a substantial ditch (OA 55A) was created in Area 16 at the north-western corner of the gravel terrace (Allen and Welsh 1998; Allen et al. forthcoming).
3.61. Running diagonally across the MBA enclosure system in Areas 20 and 24 was an Iron Age boundary ditch aligned east - west (OA 56). A ditch at right angles to this ran north from the edge of Channel S, and had a four-post structure (OA 57) alongside it. A sub-rectangular cropmark enclosure (OA 58) was plotted by Carstairs in the north- west corner of the site. There is some doubt as to the date of this feature, although it is certainly prehistoric in origin.
3.62. Five wooden waterlogged structures dating to the Iron Age were found crossing Channel T in Areas 3 (OA 47B) and 5 (OA 59) (Allen and Welsh 1997; Allen and Welsh 1998). These were tentatively interpreted as bridges. In Channel T between areas Ex2 and Ex3 an oak mallet head dated to the LIA, and a LIA scythe, were London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
found (OA 60). In Channel V a large amber bead was recovered from the Late Iron Age or early Roman phase of the channel in Area 4 (OA 61).
3.63. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.64. The complex of cropmarks noted within the Lake Site (OA 57) and partly excavated in advance of the construction of the northern access road extends north and east into the area of the PTH. This was dated to the Middle or Late Iron Age.
3.65. The Racecourse
3.66. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse.
3.67. The Roman Period (AD43 - 410)
3.68. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.69. Nine Heritage Assets from this period have been identified within the Wider Study area. Evidence for a substantial and high status Romano-British building, that may represent a riverside villa complex have been found at Down Place (OA 181) around 160 metres to the south-west of the Lake. Some limited Romano-British settlement evidence was identified at Weir Bank Stud Farm (OA 115) during the excavations of 1991. The excavations at Lake End Road West (OA 179) revealed an Iron Age settlement site that continued in use into the Roman period.
3.70. Several cropmark features plotted from aerial photographs have been dated to the Romano-British period. A possible trackway and enclosures (OA 117) are visible in a field some 1.2km to the north-west of the Lake, while a further series of enclosures have been identified immediately to the north-west of this site, just to the south-east of River Gardens (OA 118). Cropmarks consisting of hut circles, enclosures, trackways and pits (OA 131) have been identified some 750 metres to the north of The Lake, while a possible hut circle with a diameter of c. 10 metres is visible some 950 metres to the north-east of The Lake.
3.71. Further Roman artefacts were recovered from the excavations at Hoveringham Pit (OA 218), including pottery sherds, jewellery and ceramic building material. Some Romano-British ceramic building material was found during a watching brief at Burnham STW (OA 162). Roman coins along with fragments of weapons and armour are said to have been ploughed up at Easthay (OA 119), some 1.6km to the north- west of the Lake in the late 18th century. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.72. The Lake
3.73. Romano-British settlement in the Eton Rowing Course development area was mostly confined to Area 16, where the Iron Age enclosure was first extended and later superseded by Roman ditches (OA 55B). No substantial dwelling house was found within the settlement, although a barn built on post-pads and several corn driers were found, in addition to half a dozen wells and a scatter of deep and shallow pits. A number of infants were buried in the enclosure ditch and other features, and an adult was buried in a coffin within the outer part of the settlement. A long boundary ditch known only as a cropmark ran south-east across the gravel terrace from the south corner of the Roman settlement.
3.74. A small number of pits of early Roman date were found to the east of Area 16 on Area 10 (OA14D). Late Roman ponds containing peat formed in Areas 3 and 5, within which the side of a late Roman cart (OA 62) was preserved (Allen and Welsh 1997). On the south bank of the modern Thames Late Roman skeletons were found at Down Place (OA 63A) (Bates and Stanley unpublished).
3.75. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.76. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.77. The Racecourse
3.78. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse.
3.79. The Anglo-Saxon Period (AD410 - 1066)
3.80. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.81. A late Saxon spearhead (OA 256) was found in the River Thames below the Cut at Bray, some 200 metres to the west of The Lake, in 1951.
3.82. The Lake
3.83. An Anglo-Saxon settlement was found at Down Place cottage south of the modern Thames, overlying late Roman burials (OA 63B). Seven later burials may also be Saxon (Bates and Stanley unpublished). Anglo-Saxon metalwork (OA51B) has been dredged from the modern Thames between Queen’s Eyot and Boveney (Ford 1987, Figure 35). A single Anglo-Saxon inhumation burial (OA 64) was found within Area 6, London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
that of a 7th century woman buried with a collection of amuletic objects at her waist (Allen in Foreman et al. 2002, 28-34 and Figure 3.5). The settlement at Boveney is recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1086, thus indicating a an Anglo-Saxon origin, but little detail is given (VCH 1925). Some elements of the cropmarks recorded south-east and north-east of Boveney (OA 227) may be of Anglo-Saxon origin.
3.84. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.85. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.86. The Racecourse
3.87. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse.
3.88. The Medieval Period (AD1066 - 1485)
3.89. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.90. The remains of five moated sites have been identified within the Wider Study Area. A circular and an L-shaped pond with a central island (OA 101 and 103) located to the east of Fifield House, 1.8km to the south-west of The Lake are thought to be one such site, while another has been recorded at Amerden Bank (OA 128), 100 metres to the west of the Lake. A partially surviving moat is found to the south of Cippenham Court (OA 163), around 1.8km north of the Racecourse Site. A rectangular moat and probable manorial site (OA 257) is recorded at Mills Farm, 1.6km south-west of the Lake, although the ditch itself was in-filled in the mid 20th century course. A quadrangular moat (OA 277) is known at Wolf lane, Dedworth, some 1.2km south of The Racecourse, although this site has since been destroyed by a modern housing development.
3.91. As well as the sites of former manor houses, some remains of the manors themselves along with the ancillary structures from their estates have also survived. The site of the manor at Knight’s Close, Dedworth (OA 274, 275, 276), some 900 metres south of The Racecourse, was excavated in the early 1980s where a substantial hearth and assorted medieval material was recorded.
3.92. Records suggest that West Mill (OA 136) was probably located at Lake End, some 800 metres north-east of the Lake, while the locations of two Fisheries associated London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
with Dorney Manor (OA 210) have been identified along the Thames (OA 221 and OA 244), opposite the Lake site.
3.93. The former Deer Park of Cippenham (OA 170)) that dates back to the mid 13th century was located some 1.7 km north of the Racecourse.
3.94. Two historic village cores dating from the medieval period are located in the wider Study Area, those of Fifield (OA 104) and Dorney (OA 190). Excavations at the convent of St. John The Baptist, Dedworth (OA 280 and 281) exposed the remains of buildings, ditches and pits dating between the 13th and 15th centuries, along with substantial amounts of medieval material.
3.95. Six standing buildings that date from the medieval period have also been identified within the area. These comprise:
• Old Lodge Farmhouse, Bray (OA 105);
• Bell Farmhouse (OA 147);
• Dorney Court, formerly Dorney Manor House, (OA 210);
• The Parish Church of Dorney (OA 213);
• Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Boveney (OA 283); and
• Parts of a timber-framed house at Dedworth, Windsor (OA 263).
3.96. The Lake
3.97. East of the Rowing Course the hamlet of Boveney is recorded in Domesday, and the church (OA 283; St Marys) is itself of 12th century date (Pevsner and Williamson 1994, 186-7). The remaining Listed Buildings within the Conservation Area (OA 233) are of Post-Medieval origin.
3.98. Cropmarks are evident on aerial photographs south-east and north-east of Boveney (OA 227), and most probably belong to the former late Saxon and medieval settlement, although some may be earlier. One medieval waterhole (OA 66) was found north of Area 6 during construction of the Eton Rowing Course (Allen in Foreman et al. 2002, 85-6).
3.99. The Paralympic Transport Hub London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.100. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.101. The Racecourse
3.102. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse, although it is possible that the mill-stream (OA 282) is of Medieval origin.
3.103. The Medieval Landscape Context
3.104. Both sites lie on the floodplain of the River Thames and outside of centers of dispersed settlement such as that at Boveney. It is likely that both sites were used as meadows in the Medieval period, as well as for arable cultivation. Meadows were highly prized agricultural assets in the Medieval period, providing food for livestock in the winter and early spring, and some grazing. It is recorded that in the winter of 1339-40 the corn crop at Boveney was ruined after heavy rains had flooded the lower lying arable fields (VCH 1925), possibly including those fields indicated by eroded furrows recorded at the Lake site (Area 10; OA14).
3.105. The Post-Medieval and Modern Period (AD1485+)
3.106. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.107. The Study Area contains 35 Listed structures (OA 100, 105, 111, 127, 138-142, 147- 149, 151, 153, 159, 177, 178, 190, 209-213, 247, 259-261, 263-4, 267-8, 271-3, 280 and 283) and two historic cores at Dorney and Boveney (OA 190 and 233) that themselves contain 19 and 9 further listed structures respectively. Of the total number of 63 Listed structures, all but 10 are of Post-Medieval origin.
3.108. The two historic core areas are located close to the Lake site with Dorney some 300 metres to the north-west and Boveney bordering the north-eastern edge of the site. Two buildings are located on the opposite bank of the Thames to the Lake (OA 177, Clock Tower and Toad Hall; and OA 247, Oakley Court), otherwise the remainder are scattered across the Study Area between 500 metres and 1.5km from the Lake and the Racecourse.
3.109. The Parish of Bray Tithe Map from 1841 shows that the area to the south of Lake and the Racecourse to be one of open pasture fields with a field pattern almost identical to the current one. No previously unrecorded archaeological or historical features were noted. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.110. The Lake
3.111. The villages of Dorney and Boveney were both recorded in Domesday as separate manors (Munby in Foreman et al. 2002, 18). Historic maps show that the Lake site has been part of Dorney field since the 18th century, and it is likely that Dorney field was part of the medieval three-field system prior to that (Munby in Foreman et al. 2002, 19-21). Medieval and post-medieval remains, which consist of field ditches and furrows from ridge-and-furrow cultivation, are known from cropmarks running east- north-east in the north-west of the site, and were excavated in Area 24 (Foreman et al 2002. Fig. 1.4). Further furrows, running north-west, were found across Area 10 (OA14). Post-medieval ditches were also found crossing Area 6 (Allen and Welsh 1997), while a group of postholes were revealed in evaluation just to the north (OA 1991). A curving post-medieval ditch ran across Area 20 just west of Channel S.
3.112. Historic maps show that by the 17th century Dorney Field had been subdivided into a patchwork of small fields (Rocque 1761). By the early 19th century some of these had been amalgamated into four principal strip at right angles to the Thames (Boveney estate map 1812). By the later 19th century (1st edn Ordnance Survey 25” map, 1875), this amalgamation had reduced this to three, and by 1899 to only two principal fields (OS 2nd edn 25” map). This situation persisted throughout the first half of the 20th century, although cropping divisions within the largest field were plotted on the OS 4th edn (1932). By 1972 the last boundary had gone, though its position was still marked by a few large trees (OS 1972).
3.113. The Paralympic Transport Hub
3.114. No Heritage Assets from these periods have been identified from within the area of the PTH.
3.115. The Racecourse
3.116. No Heritage Assets from this period have been identified from within the area of the Racecourse, although the mill-stream (OA 282) may be regarded as a historic landscape feature.
3.117. Fewer historic maps are available for the Racecourse site but the limited surviving evidence indicates that the site was probably used as meadows and/or pasture and was known in the early 19th century as ‘The Rays’ (VCH 1923) . A water-mill was located along the mill-stream, just to the north of the present Clewer village.
3.118. The Built Historic Environment London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.119. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.120. The Study Area contains 35 Listed structures (OA 100, 105, 111, 127, 138-142, 147- 149, 151, 153, 159, 177, 178, 190, 209-213, 247, 259-261, 263-4, 267-8, 271-3, 280 and 283) and two historic cores at Dorney and Boveney (OA 190 and 233) that themselves contain 19 and 9 further listed structures respectively. Of the total number of 63 Listed structures, all but 10 are of Post-Medieval origin.
3.121. Six standing Listed Buildings that date from the medieval period have been identified within the Study Area. These comprise:
• Old Lodge Farmhouse, Bray (OA 105, Grade II);
• Bell Farmhouse (OA 147 -Grade II*);
• Dorney Court, formerly Dorney Manor House, (OA 210, Grade I);
• The Parish Church of Dorney (OA 213, Grade I); and
• Parts of a timber-framed house at Dedworth, Windsor (OA 263, Grade II); and
• The redundant Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Boveney (OA 283, Grade I) (discussed below in relation to the Lake site).
3.122. In addition to the Listed Buildings noted above, there are 3 structures, 2 of which are recorded in the HER as of some historic interest (OA 126 and OA 265). These comprise:
• A water-mill on the Thames (OA 126);
• A barn known as ‘Tudor Barn’ (OA 265); and
• The Royal Windsor Pavilion at Windsor Racecourse within the Racecourse site (OA 284).
3.123. The Lake and PTH
3.124. The hamlet of Boveney, to the east of the Lake site, is recorded in Domesday, and the chapel (OA 283; St Marys) is of 12th century date (Pevsner and Williamson 1994, 186-7). The Listed Buildings within the Conservation Area (OA 233) are of Post- Medieval origin. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.125. The redundant chapel of St Mary Magdalene (OA 283) located to the east of the village core, has a 12th century core but with significant rebuilding dating primarily to the 15th and 16th centuries.
3.126. Most of the Listed structures noted above will be screened to varying degrees from the site by the existing trees and hedgerows around the edge of Boveney. It is possible that part of the eastern end of the proposed temporary pedestrian river crossing (TPRC) will be visible from the chapel of St Mary Magdalene (OA 283) and vice versa.
3.127. The Racecourse
3.128. The Royal Windsor Grandstand was built in the late 19th century at the east end of the course and still retains many original Victorian features (OA 284; http://www.windsorraces). It is shown as part of a small complex of structures on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map of 1871. It is possible that other, smaller structures and facilities of 19th and early 20th century origin survive within the Racecourse site but no systematic survey or recording appears to have been undertaken to date. Any such structures are most likely to survive in the area around the Grandstand.
3.129. The Historic Landscape
3.130. The Wider Study Area (Figure 4.3)
3.131. No Designated historic landscape assets have been identified in the wider Study Area.
3.132. The Lake and PTH
3.133. No Designated historic landscape assets have been identified within or bounding the Lake site
3.134. The hedgerow defining part of the southern perimeter of the PTH may meet the criteria to be termed an ‘Important Hedgerow’ according to the provisions of the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations (OA 286).
3.135. The Bucks HER Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) programme has recorded the surrounding landscape in which the lake site sits as a patchwork of fields enclosed at varying dates. The river-bank where the west end of the TPRC would be located is recorded as former parkland. The Lake site itself retains little of its former historic landscape character. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
3.136. The Racecourse
3.137. No Designated historic landscape assets have been identified within or bounding the Racecourse site. The mill-stream (OA 282) may be regarded as a historic landscape feature, however it now lies in a landscape context far removed from its origins.
3.138. The hedgerow defining the northern boundary of the Balloon Meadow may meet the criteria to be termed an ‘Important Hedgerow’ according to the provisions of the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations (OA 285).
3.139. No HLC data is available for the area of Berkshire in which the Racecourse is located, however the site retains little of its pre-racecourse historic landscape character. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
4.0 Archaeological Potential and Survival
4.1. Previous Impacts and Survival
4.2. Previous impacts within the Lake site, ie ground disturbances that have affected the survival of below-ground archaeological deposits, have been considerable, and are shown on Figure 4.5. The construction of the Eton Rowing Course and Return Lane has removed all archaeological deposits within their footprints, and grading of the sides of both watercourses has also removed or truncated any archaeological features immediately alongside. The effects of the grading were largely dealt with by archaeological excavation and watching brief during the construction.
4.3. Construction of the Rowing Course and Return Lane also involved the excavation of large parts of the Site as borrow pits south-west of the Return Lane. Following archaeological investigation, these have removed nearly half of the area of the Lake site.
4.4. It was also necessary to divert a major gas main that crossed the Rowing Course towards the Finish End, and the area dug out for this is also shown (between Area 15 and Area 4) on Figure 4.5. The previous course of the gas main south-west of this had also destroyed a narrower corridor some 10 m wide.
4.5. The construction of the Boathouse and of the Finish Tower have also removed any archaeological deposits within their footprints.
4.6. The archaeological investigation in Area 6 involved the complete excavation of the ring ditches and the hollow, so within the excavation area there is no surviving potential.
4.7. The area of the river-bank where the TPRC will be sited and the pasture fields of the PTH have not been subject to detailed archaeological examination as part of the planning process. Consequently, the extent of any previous impacts at these locations have not been identified in detail as for the bulk of the site to the west.
4.8. As previously discussed, the underlying geology has a significant effect upon the type of archaeology likely to be encountered, and the depth at which it occurs.
4.9. It is less certain what form and extent previous impacts may have taken on the Racecourse site. Reference to historic mapping, aerial photography, and ground London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
observation suggests that this land was used as meadow and pasture through the Medieval period and well into the Post-Medieval period. These are forms of land-use that are unlikely to have resulted in any other than localised and relatively minor impacts (eg livestock poaching).
4.10. The development of the Racecourse as a sporting venue in the latter part of the 20th century may have resulted in the following potential previous impacts:
• landscaping of the course itself, including ground-levelling and the planting of trees;
• the insertion of services to the various facilities including drainage of the racecourse and parking areas;
• the construction of the paths, tracks and access roads;
• landscaping of the parking areas;
• the construction of the various buildings at the east end of the site; and;
• maintenance of the river-bank and of the wooded areas.
4.11. Archaeological Potential
4.12. The Rowing Lake site and PTH has a high potential to contain significant archaeological deposits dating from the Mesolithic to Anglo-Saxon periods. However, the construction of the current facilities and the preceding archaeological interventions on the site will have resulted in the partial or complete removal of many of these deposits. Most of the length of the access road lies over ground that is archaeologically ‘sterile’ but the road does cross part of the preserved area west of the Neolithic and Bronze Age features recorded within a possible Middle Bronze Age enclosure (OA 23 A and B, Figures 4.4 and 4.5). It is uncertain exactly what the extent is of this preserved area at the time of writing as it is understood by OA that this preserved area may not necessarily have been respected. The PTH overlies a complex of cropmarks (OA 57) which have been shown in previous excavations further to the south and west to be of Iron Age date.
4.13. The apparent paucity of archaeological sites and finds from the Racecourse site reflects the low level of archaeological interventions rather than a low archaeological potential. Given the density of significant archaeological deposits recorded from the Rowing Lake site, which sits in a similar riverside location in the local landscape, it is London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
very likely that the Racecourse site also contains significant but currently unrecorded archaeological deposits.
4.14. It is difficult to predict the archaeological potential of the river itself but it should be noted that rivers adjacent to settlements (or in proximity to fords or bridges) often contain deliberately placed items such as metalwork of the Later Prehistoric, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. In addition, the previous channels (palaeochannels) of the River Thames are known to lie distributed across the flood-plain and what is now the river may have been a habitable or useful location in, for example, the Bronze Age or Iron Age. The present course of the River Thames adjacent to the sites is likely to have become increasingly stabilised from the Medieval period onwards. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
5.0 Potential impacts and Mitigation
5.1. Overview of the proposals
5.2. This assessment of these proposals was informed by the suite of drawings issued by LOCOG numbered POP-A-O-RO-XX, SBH-ATK-ZZ-ETD-DR-C-1-E5-0004, 785002- ETD-02 and 2216001-14ETD-106, 22216001 - 14ETD-404, 0241-ETD-FBR-T-DGA- 0001 - 17, the Stage C Concept Design Report (Atkins Global) and by conversations with representatives of London 2012 and their consultant team and contacts from Eton College: Andrew Boyd (Associate, Savills); Ivor Lloyd, (Managing Director of the Eton Dorney Rowing Lake); Henry Westwood (Atkins Global); and David Banks (London 2012).
5.3. The proposals are set out in some detail in the supporting Design and Access Statement. In summary the proposals for the Dorney Lake site comprise:
• Operational compounds and athlete areas at the southern end of the lake, consisting of tentage and portacabin-type structures;
• Athlete facilities, secondary broadcast compound and storage at the north end of the lake, as above;
• Spectator seating and associated event facilities (eg ticket facilities, concessions and medical facilities) on the eastern side and the southern end of the lake;
• Ancillary spectator facilities to the east of the stands and lake including the construction of the paths, tracks and access roads;
• Grandstand seating for 2,000 FISA Family spectators and 1,500 for accredited groups will be located on the return island near the finish line;
• The Paralympic Transport Hub;
• Perimeter security fencing; and
• A broadcast compound will also be located on the western side of Dorney Lake with a cable route running beneath the return lake to the return island.
5.4. In summary the proposals for the Windsor Racecourse site comprise: London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
• Temporary blue badge car parking, coach, taxi and motorcycle parking areas using both the existing parking facilities and grassed areas laid with trackway;
• Staff facilities comprising tentage and portacabin-type structures;
• The construction of temporary paths, tracks and access roads; and
• Pedestrian Screening Area (PSA) including ticket, toilet and other visitor facilities.
5.5. Access between the Lake and Racecourse sites will be via the TPRC , an ten metre wide bridge with sufficient clearance for boats to pass under. The bridge will have a span of 45m and is likely to be a steel structure of a similar design to that used for the Reading Festival. The bridge will be partly supported by piles driven into the river- bed. Concrete or hardcore footings are also likely to be built on each bank to accommodate a mobile platform lift. These may be up to c 800mm deep. A number of trees will be removed on each bank but it is anticipated that this will not result in any below-ground disturbance.
5.6. It is anticipated that none of the facilities noted above will be of a permanent nature and will comprise temporary tents, pavilions, portacabin-type structures, scaffolding- based stands, portaloos etc. All services will run over-ground and no services will be buried, including the broadcast cabling. Where some new footpaths and tracks are installed, then these will be on plastic or metal interlocking plates. The main broadcast compound will be located within the previously stripped and re-instated area and will not be dug deeper than any previous disturbance.
5.7. It is possible that minor and very localised impacts may occur where pegs and/or posts are used to secure tents, pavilions, perimeter security fencing and part of the spectator stands.
5.8. Part of the southern access road to the Lake will be broadened and laid with gravel. This will comprise a narrow margin adjacent to the existing road.
5.9. Walkover Survey
5.10. Introduction
5.11. Windsor Racecourse and the Eton College Rowing Centre were both visited on the morning of Friday July 16th 2010. The weather was mixed, with sunshine and showers, some quite severe. This did not restrict access to any part of the sites.
5.12. The Racecourse London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
5.13. The vast majority of the areas designated for temporary parking and camping are currently under grass. It is very even and appears to have been landscaped. Some raised banks have been created around the perimeter. The parking area within the racetrack itself is more uneven, with long linear earthworks, but the cause of these is not apparent.
5.14. The main exception to this landscape character is the proposed motorcycle parking area which is currently covered with gravel.
5.15. The proposed new access routes to Balloon Meadow on the south side of the racecourse involve creation of breaks in the existing hedgerow (OA 285). The hedge and trees along the western side appear ‘natural’ rather than the obviously planted hedges to the east and south of this area.
5.16. The temporary river crossing and PSA will be located at the far western side of the Racecourse. While this area has been less well maintained than other parts of the course, with patches of rough ground and evidence for dumping, the majority is part of the landscaped grassed area. The boundary of the site along the bank of the river has retained its natural vegetation, scrub and large trees. There are some breaks in the trees, one of which should match the location of the bridge. The river-bank shows no evidence for man-made landing stages or revetments.
5.17. The Lake Site and Paralympic Transport Hub
5.18. The riverbank east of the boathouse has a concrete landing stage. The path continues eastward along a stretch of natural riverbank with trees before reaching another revetted stretch of moorings. The east end of the TPRC will be located here, in a gap in the treeline.
5.19. The area around the existing Eton College Rowing Centre building at the east end of the complex is already used extensively for movement of boats and areas where large numbers of people congregate and includes extensive areas of roadway and hard surfacing, with an existing surfaced parking area. The remainder of the area is under landscaped grass.
5.20. The fields for the proposed PTH are currently in pasture.
5.21. There is more tree cover within the grassed area to the north-east of the existing car park, already used as overflow parking, where plans suggest some clearance may be required. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
5.22. This area proposed for the broadcasting compound is currently under grass, which will be stripped and the topsoil removed. It was confirmed that this had been the site of the construction compound for recent work on the return lane and bridges. As part of this process the topsoil had been removed, a temporary gravel surface laid, and the area then reinstated.
5.23. The vast majority of the areas across the venue where temporary facilities will be placed lie within areas of previous disturbance and landscaping. The TPRC will affect stretches on and around the riverbank on both sides of the Thames where there has been no previous development.
5.24. Archaeological Assets - Potential Impacts
5.25. Given the minimal and localised potential impacts noted above, it is generally anticipated that the proposals will not result in significant impacts to archaeological assets. There are two possible exceptions to this: the TPRC, which is likely to include piles on the river-bed and two areas of footings, one on each bank; and the possible broadening of the southern access road.
5.26. The depth of the possible excavation for the TPRC footings is likely to be c 800mm deep and will cut through the topsoil and into the underlying gravel or alluvium. No information on the depth of piling is available at the time of writing.
5.27. Any archaeological deposits within the soils and gravel or alluvium excavated for the footings will be removed or truncated. Any archaeological deposits (including artefacts and ecofacts) within the footprint of the proposed piles will be removed or truncated. Further, localised impacts may occur during removal of the bridge.
5.28. Part of the southern access road to the Lake will be broadened and laid with gravel. This will comprise a narrow margin adjacent to the existing road. Most of the length of the access road lies over ground that is archaeologically ‘sterile’ but the road does cross part of the preserved area west of the Neolithic and Bronze Age features recorded within a possible Middle Bronze Age enclosure (OA 23 A and B).
5.29. Built Heritage Assets - Potential Impacts
5.30. It is anticipated that the proposals will not result in any permanent changes to the fabric or setting of any built heritage assets. It is possible that temporary impacts (ie operational impacts) may occur to the settings of some built heritage assets (eg the Boveney Conservation Area, OA 233 or the Grade I Listed chapel of St Mary Magdalene, OA 283) deriving from changes to the landscape, and changes in noise, London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
traffic and light. However, with the exception of the TPRC , such temporary impacts already occur during busy periods of use of both of the Lake and the Racecourse, and therefore these impacts may not be regarded as significant.
5.31. Historic Landscape Assets - Potential Impacts
5.32. It is anticipated that the proposals will not result in any permanent changes to the fabric or setting of any historic landscape assets.
5.33. It is possible that temporary (ie operational impacts) may occur to the perception of the local environment from public rights of way deriving (eg footpaths around Dorney or the River Thames towpath) from changes to the landscape, and changes in noise, traffic and light.
5.34. The River Thames towpath is partly screened from the Lake site by the tree-line along the river-bank but the TPRC will be in plain view from the tow-path, which will pass underneath the bridge.
5.35. Mitigation Options
5.36. It seems unlikely that any practical mitigation measures could be devised that would address the predicted minor and temporary changes in setting to the built heritage and the historic landscape.
5.37. It is likely that the archaeological advisors to the local planning authorities concerned would require some form of mitigation to be devised to counter the potential impacts of the proposals on the archaeological resource. This applies in particular to the proposed footings and piling of the TPRC across the Thames, and the widening of the access road which have been identified here as the only two elements of the proposals that may have a significant impact on any archaeological deposits present. OA will enter into discussion with the archaeological advisors to each of the local authorities concerned to formulate an investigation and management strategy. It is unlikely that any realistic and practical mitigation measure could be applied in advance or during insertion of the piling but it is easier to mitigate any potential impacts from the footings on the river-bank or the access road widening. This could be achieved by either a pre-construction archaeological field evaluation of the proposed impacted areas or by means of an archaeological watching-brief during the earthworks phase of construction. It would also be possible to maintain a more general archaeological watching-brief during the construction phase of the project London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
upon any new, unidentified activities that may result in impacts to any archaeological deposits present. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
6.0 Conclusion
6.1. There are no Cultural Heritage Designated Sites within the either the Lake or Racecourse sites. The nearest Designated assets are a cluster of Grade II Listed Buildings in the core of the historic village of Boveney (within a Conservation Area) immediately to the north of the Lake site, and a Grade I Listed Building (a redundant Medieval chapel) located to the east of the Lake site.
6.2. The extensive recorded assets principally derived from various archaeological interventions on the Lake site that were undertaken in advance of the construction of the current facilities. The construction of the current facilities will thus have, in many cases, removed much if not all of the archaeological deposits from which these discoveries were made. The areas where the TPRC and the PTH will be sited have not been subject to detailed archaeological examination as part of the planning process. Consequently, the extent of any previous impacts at these locations have not been identified in detail as for the bulk of the site to the west.
6.3. The Rowing Lake site and PTH has a high potential to contain significant archaeological deposits dating from the Mesolithic to Anglo-Saxon periods. The apparent paucity of archaeological sites and finds from the Racecourse site reflects the low level of archaeological interventions rather than a low archaeological potential. It is very likely that the Racecourse site also contains significant but currently unrecorded archaeological deposits.
6.4. It is difficult to predict the archaeological potential of the river itself but it should be noted that rivers adjacent to settlements (or in proximity to fords or bridges) often contain deliberately placed items of the Later Prehistoric, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods.
6.5. One hedgerow has been identified within the Racecourse site and another defining part of the PTH that may meet the criteria to be termed Important Hedgerows, according to the provisions of the Hedgerow Regulations of 1997.
6.6. It is anticipated that the proposals will not generally result in significant impacts to archaeological assets. There are two possible exceptions to this: the TPRC, which is likely to include piles on the river-bed and two areas of footings, one on each bank; and the possible broadening of the southern access road. London 2012 Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events September 2010
6.7. Any archaeological deposits within the soils, gravel or alluvium excavated for the footings or the access road widening will be removed or truncated. Any archaeological deposits within the footprint of the proposed piles will be removed or truncated. Possible mitigation measures include pre-construction archaeological field evaluation or an archaeological watching-brief.
6.8. It is anticipated that the proposals will not result in any permanent changes to the fabric or setting of any built heritage assets and elements of the historic landscape. It is possible that temporary impacts may occur to the settings of some heritage assets deriving from temporary changes to the landscape, and temporary changes in noise, traffic and light. However, such temporary impacts already occur during busy periods of use of both of the Lake and the Racecourse, and these impacts may not therefore be regarded as significant.
Appendices 4A and 4B
Appendix 4A: Cultural Heritage Asset Gazetteer - Identified Cultural Heritage Features in 1km Study Area (Figure 4.3)
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 100 Listed structure Fifield Farm Cottage (formerly listed as Fifield House Farm Cottage). Late 17th Century in origin. NMR: 41071 Altered and extended in the 19th and 20th centuries. Grade II listed building. 101 Archaeological An " L- shaped" pond north of Fifield House. May represent two sides of a medieval moat. HER(BERKS): site MRW151 102 Cropmarks A possible enclosure visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs and identified as part of the East HER(BERKS): Berkshire Archaeological Survey. MRW4964 103 Archaeological A circular pond with central island situated to the east of Fifield House may represent a medieval moat, HER(BERKS) site an undated ornamental pond or a modern clay pit. MRW152 104 Historic site The medieval hamlet of Fifield, Bray. According to Gelling (1973), Fifield was first mentioned in a fine HER(BERKS): of 1316. MRW154 105 Listed structure Old Lodge Farmhouse, Coningsby Lane, Bray. Late 15th century in origin altered and extended in the NMR: 41033 19th and mid 20th centuries. Grade II listed building. 106 Archaeological The Monitoring of development groundworks at Monkey Island Lane in 2002 by Thames Valley NMR: 1442820 site Archaeological Services recorded no significant archaeological activity. 107 Archaeological Bronze Age findspot at gravel pit in Monkey Island Lane, Bray, and Berkshire. A Mid-late Bronze Age HER(BERKS):MRW76 findspot spearhead with tip missing. Lozenge shaped basal loops. Ogival channelled blade, with lozenge- 70 section midrib. The spearhead came from the gravel pit owned by Charles Prior and son in Monkey Island Lane. 108 Archaeological Bronze Age hoard - Bray, Berkshire. The hoard includes a socketed axe head, a broken knife, a HER(BERKS):MRW50 findspot spearhead fragment, a winged axe head and three unidentified lumps of metal. 92 109 Archaeological Watching brief conducted by Thames Valley Archaeological Services for Mid southern Water plc. No NMR:1084738 site archaeological observations made. 110 Archaeological The frontal portion of a human skull from the Thames at Monkey Island. The skull is highly mineralized, HER(BERKS):MRW12 findspot of riverbed type. Skulls of this type are thought to belong to the Mesolithic or early Neolithic periods. 660 The skull was presented to Windsor Museum and the information comes from the museum record. 111 Listed structure The Temple; Grade I listed structure. Summerhouse, now offices for the Monkey Island Hotel. Early NMR:41070 & 251377 18th century in origin. Built for Charles Spencer, third Duke of Marlborough. 112 Cropmarks Possible Prehistoric or Roman boundary ditches, pits and an enclosure are visible as cropmarks on NMR:1232933 aerial photographs. The boundaries and enclosure possibly once formed part of a system of rectilinear
OA Feature Type Description Source Number enclosures. The enclosure is incomplete and measures 35m by 20m. Six pits are visible within and in the vicinity of the enclosure. Boundaries, measuring up to 150m, extend west from the enclosure, and possibly form part of another enclosure. Part of the southernmost boundary is double ditched; possibly indicating it is part of a trackway. 113 Archaeological Weir Bank Stud Farm, Bray, Berkshire. 40 test-pits were excavated by Wessex Archaeology in 1991 in NMR:1309562 site an area where evaluation prior to development had located a flint concentration. 114 Archaeological Weir Bank Stud Farm. Eighteen trenches & eleven test pits excavated by Wessex Archaeology in an NMR:652542 site area of cropmarks located archaeological features from the Middle to Late Bronze Age and quantities of pottery. Project funded by Summerleaze. 115 Archaeological Weir Bank Stud Farm. This site was first identified from cropmark evidence showing enclosures and HER(BERKS):MRW13 site ditches. A series of archaeological investigations between 1989-1991 in advance of gravel extraction 2 identified five phases of activity, particularly a small Middle Bronze Age settlement. The five phases of 1232931 human activity identified at the site were: Mesolithic flint assemblage indicative of single or repeated use of the area. Earlier Neolithic: small-scale activity, pottery sherds and two features identified. Later Neolithic/early Bronze Age: artefactual evidence, mainly pottery. Middle Bronze Age: the major phase on the site, excavated features include field ditches, roundhouses, pits and hollows, representing a field system and a later small rural settlement. Late Iron Age/early Roman: small-scale activity, mainly artefactual evidence i.e. pottery sherds, from three small features. The site was completely destroyed by the excavation and subsequent gravel extraction. A possible Prehistoric or Roman trackway is also visible here as cropmarks on aerial photographs. It is defined by parallel ditches measuring 70m long. The trackway has been recut at some stage and another set of parallel ditches is visible parallel to the original ditches. 116 Archaeological Low density pottery scatters found by Thames Valley Archaeological Services during watching brief for NMR:1084277 site Mid Southern Water Company plc in 1989. 117 Cropmarks A possible Prehistoric or Roman trackway and enclosures are visible as cropmarks on aerial NMR:1232930 photographs. The trackway is defined by parallel ditches that are 175m long. Two incomplete rectilinear ditched enclosures flank the trackway. These measure 35m by 38m and although they overlap with the trackway slightly they are aligned on it which suggests they are of a similar date. 118 Cropmarks Cropmarks to the south-east of River Gardens, Bray, Berkshire, Regular light marks in crop. A right- HER(BERKS):MRW17 angled double linear broken on the north with traces of adjoining enclosures suggest street pattern. 29 Rectangular setting on north-west could be enclosure cut by street. 119 Archaeological Roman coins and fragments of armour and weapons are said to have been ploughed up in the NMR: 251273 findspot Easthay, a common field lying on the east side of Bray town, prior to 1795.
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 120 Archaeological An EIA bronze sword was found in the River Thames upstream of Headpile Eyot in September 1951. NMR:251318 findspot
121 Landscape River navigation between Lechlade and Teddington. The Lechlade-Oxford section is 30 miles long with NMR:1341177 feature 11 locks. The Oxford-Wallingford section is 23 miles long with 8 locks. The Wallingford-Reading section is 17 miles long with 5 locks. The Reading-Maidenhead section is 8.5 miles long with 3 locks. The Maidenhead-Windsor section is 21 miles long with 8 locks. The Windsor-Shepperton section is 13.5 miles long with 3 locks, and the Shepperton-Teddington section has 2 locks on its 11.5-mile length. 122 Archaeological A late Bronze Age spearhead was found in the river Thames above Bray Lock in September 1951. NMR:251320 findspot 123 Archaeological A wooden pile found with a horse skeleton at New Lock Bray. Described by Peake as Romano-British. NMR:MRW150 findspot (Peake, H. 1931. The Archaeology of Berkshire. Page 183). 124 Archaeological An iron sword rusted into a decorated bronze scabbard (classified as Group II, Hunsbury type, NMR251314 findspot probably mid-early C1st BC) was dredged from the Thames at Armerden, in or about 1891 (Sometimes described as found at Bray or Taplow). It was presented to the British Museum, by A.W. Franks, 1893 125 Archaeological Five Late Bronze Age swords, a spearhead, dirks, an axe, a knife and a sheath were all recovered HER(BERKS):MRW75 findspot from the Thames near Amerden, Bray in the early 20th Century. 45 126 Historic structure A water mill on the River Thames. Converted into a studio. It gets its head of water from a string of HER(BERKS):MRW62 Islets including Pigeon Hill, Head Pile and Felling. 73 127 Listed structure Amerden Priory and the Other House. Late C16 or early C17 added to timber-framed with NMR44300 colourwashed brick nogging; old tile roof. Grade II listed building. HER(BUCKS):MBC421 9 128 Archaeological Amerden Bank. From SU 91257966 to SU 91257958 there extends a large overgrown ditch, about 2.5 NMR:251243 site metres deep and 9.0m. wide which may represent the remains of a moat. Before the construction of HER(BUCKS):MBC421 the towing-path this artificial ditch was probably water-filled. No change; as described. There is no 9 ground indication that the ditch ever extended northwards, although the S end almost certainly joined the River Thames prior to the towpath. Its date and purpose cannot be determined from its present shape and overgrown state. 129 Archaeological Iron sword dredged from the Thames between Bray Mill and Monkey Island in 1855. NMR:251269 findspot 130 Archaeological Two Bronze Age Spearheads were found in the Thames in 1909. NMR:251363 findspot
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 131 Cropmarks A possible prehistoric or Roman settlement, consisting of hut circles, enclosures, a trackway and pits, NMR:251356 is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The settlement extends over an area measuring 200m HER(BUCKS):MBC613 by 230m. Ditched boundaries form rectilinear enclosures within two of which are two hut circles. A 5-41 trackway, defined by double ditches measuring 180m, extends along the east side of the settlement. Twelve pits are scattered through the settlement. The site has been largely destroyed by the construction of the M4 motorway. 132 Cropmarks A possible Neolithic long barrow is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. It is visible as an NMR:1232883 incomplete oval enclosure (with straight sides), measuring 18m by 8m. 133 Archaeological Excavations along the line of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief Scheme in 1991. A HER(BERKS): site number of Prehistoric, Romano-British and medieval sites were excavated. 656059, 656065, 656066, 656067, 656068, 656069, 656070, 656071, 656072, 1087431,1087580, 1151531, 1216625 MSL15466, MSL15467, MSL15468,
MSL15471, MSL15472, HER(BUCKS): MBC6213 134 Archaeological Watching briefs conducted during work on the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief Scheme in HER(BERKS): site 1991. No archaeological observations made. 1267096 135 Archaeological M4 Diversion, Taplow. Excavation carried out by Oxford Archaeology revealed part of a trackway and NMR:1267096 site associated post hole structure of probable 1st century AD date. 136 Historical site Thirteenth to sixteenth century records of watermill called West Mill, probably at Lake End. HER(BUCKS): MBC10802 137 Archaeological Desk based assessment of West End Farm & Lake End Farm by Oxford Archaeological Associates Ltd HER(BUCKS): site in 1991 EBC16340 138 Listed structure Sixteenth or seventeenth century timber-framed house called Pigeon House Farmhouse, with HER(BUCKS):
OA Feature Type Description Source Number nineteenth century front. Grade II listed. 1220900000 139 Listed structure Dell Cottage. 16th - 17th century timber framed brick building. Grade II listed. HER(BUCKS): 1221000000 140 Conservation Lake End Conservation Area. Consists of five Grade II Listed Buildings dating between the 16th and NMR: 44006,44022, Area 17th centuries. 44023, 44024 141 Listed structure Vine Cottage. 17th century timber framed brick structure. Grade II listed. HER(BUCKS): 1221100000 142 Listed structure Manor Farmhouse. Late 17th century red brick building. Grade II listed. HER(BUCKS): 38716 143 NUMBER NOT USED 144 Archaeological Ring-ditch of unknown date seen on aerial photograph west of Eton Wick HER(BUCKS): site 0625900000 145 Historical site Site of a Second World War heavy anti-aircraft battery on Dorney Common. It was armed with four 3.7- HER(BUCKS): inch static guns with GL Mark IA radar in 1942, and was armed with four unspecified guns in 1944. 0942400000 146 Archaeological Evaluation by Thames Valley Archaeological Services. A total of 164 trenches excavated across 1.5ha, NMR:1460057 site recording Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity.
147 Listed structure Bell Farmhouse. Built c.1375 but altered C16 and C19. Timber frame, modern ground floor, brick built. NMR:DRM649 Grade II* listed. 148 Listed structure Wheat Butts, Eton Wick. 17th century in origin brick building. Grade II listed. NMR:DRM699 149 Listed structure Church of St. John the Baptist. Mid 19th century in origin. Grade C listed structure. NMR:DRM704 150 Cropmarks North of Dorney Reach. A series of cropmarks identified from aerial photographs, showing Field HER(BUCKS): systems, pit alignments and enclosures. All appear to be Iron Age in origin. MBC6135 MBC6137 MBC6139 MBC6141 151 Listed structure Halfway Cottage. Lake End Road, Dorney. Grade II listed structure. So named because it was NMR:44025 reckoned to be halfway from Dorney Court to the inn and coach stop on the Bath Road. 16th Century or early 17th Century in origin. Timber-framed; tiled roof. 152 NUMBER NOT USED 153 Listed structure Eton Dorney Project Conference Centre (formerly Vicarage), Lake End Road, Dorney. Grade II Listed NMR: 44026 structure. Part 16th Century; part 17th Century; part 18th Century. Colour-washed brick; old tile roofs. 154 NUMBER NOT USED
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 155 Cropmarks Incomplete remains of a system of rectilinear ditched enclosures, of unknown date, are visible as NMR: cropmarks on aerial photographs. Three incomplete conjoined enclosures measuring from 22m to 65m 1232946 across are situated at the north east extents of the system. More fragments of possible enclosures, measuring up to 175m, are situated to the south of these. 156 Cropmarks Possible trackways of unknown date are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. A discontinuous NMR:1232940 section of trackway defined by parallel ditches extends for 140m and a possible fork of the trackway extends for 35m. They are centred at SU 9198 7924 and SU 9195 7932. 157 NUMBER NOT USED 158 Archaeological A level 3, 1:2500 scale, photogrammetric survey was carried out by the Aerial Survey section of NMR:1061270 site RCHME in the vicinity of the possible Neolithic causewayed enclosure at Dorney, Buckinghamshire (SU 9178 7907). The survey was undertaken as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project that was set up by the Cambridge field office of RCHME. The main objective of the survey was to produce an accurate 1:2500 scale plan of the plough-levelled archaeological features in the vicinity of the enclosure. All that was visible of the possible enclosure was two parallel interrupted ditches, 8m to 16m apart and 280m long showing as cropmarks in a large field to the south-west of Dorney Reach. The ditches are slightly curved and run in a roughly NW to SE direction. 159 Listed structure Monkey Island Hotel, Monkey Island Lane, Bray. Grade I Listed structure. Once a Fishing lodge, now NMR:41069 & 251369 restaurant with bars. Built around 1738 for Charles Spencer, third Duke of Marlborough. Extended in the 19th Century and mid 20th Century; refurbished 1986-7 by Denby and Badnell. Part timber framed with painted, rusticated, wooden walls. 160 Cropmarks A possible Prehistoric or Roman hut circle is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. It is centred NMR:1233104 at SU 9333 7942 and has a diameter of 10m. 161 Archaeological Palaeolithic implement found at Dorney (SU 9379); now in the County Museum, Aylesbury. NMR:251359 findspot 162 Archaeological Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Thames Water to undertake an archaeological watching HER(BERKS):ERM490 site brief during the construction of a 3.2 km length of pumpaway sewer between Burnham Sewage Works, Buckinghamshire and Slough Sewage Works, Berkshire. Finds included two definite cremation burials, one of Middle/Late Bronze Age date and one of Late Iron Age date, and three further potential examples. A number of pits and ditches also indicated activity in the later prehistoric and Romano- British periods. Finds from the site included artefacts of prehistoric date including pottery and flint, Romano-British ceramic building material including brick and tile fragments and post-medieval ceramic building material and metalwork.
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 163 Scheduled The moat [to the south of Cippenham court] probably marks the site of what has been called the palace Sched. Mon no:12030 Monument of Richard Earl of Cornwall, King of the Romans. There was certainly a capital messuage with the manor of Cippenham acquired by the Earl of Cornwall in 1252, in which he must occasionally have resided, as his foundation charter to Burnham Abbey in 1266 is dated at Cippenham, but it is hardly likely to have been of more importance than an ordinary manor house. Moat-condition: good; ditch nearly dry. 164 Archaeological Evaluation by Wessex Archaeology in 1987. I was located immediately south of Cippenham moated NMR: 652545 site site, (OA 163). Eight areas excavated that located a quantity of struck & burnt flint & pottery dating HER(BERKS):ERM489 from the prehistoric and Roman periods. 165 Archaeological A possible Palaeolithic axe was found with a tusk and other bones, at a depth of 15 ft. in gravel at HER(BERKS):MSL126 findspot Slough Sewage Works. 56 166 Archaeological An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Berkshire Archaeological Services during NMR:1484711 site groundworks at the Slough Sewerage Treatment Works in 2004. A small assemblage of flint and some post-medieval pottery was recovered. A post-medieval drainage ditch and possible palaeochannel were recorded. 167 Archaeological Land at Cippenham. Evaluation carried out by Oxford Archaeology in 1991 and 1994 in advance of HER(BERKS):ESL7 site residential development. The 1991 evaluation revealed 5 distinct areas of archaeology, ranging from Neolithic to Romano-British. The 1994 evaluation found some scattered Bronze and Iron Age activity along with some Romano-British remains. 168 Archaeological Land at Cippenham, Phase 3.Evalaution carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services in HER(BERKS):ERM689 site 2006 and 2007 in advance of further residential development. Activity identified across the site was MRM16161, 16180 and defined into 16183 three distinct clusters. Bronze Age, Iron Age and Early Roman. These concentrations may reflect occupation set within areas defined by paddocks and enclosures that appear to have several phases of development. 169 Archaeological Cippenham Sector Noise Bund. Evaluation carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services in HER(BERKS):MRM15 site 1996. A number of undated ditches were identified during an archaeological evaluation. These ditches 905 may well have performed a boundary function, perhaps for field systems associated with the areas of settlement in the northern part of the Cippenham Sector. Finds from the evaluated area included burnt flint, and a single sherd of calcined flint tempered pottery and three struck flints of probable prehistoric date. 170 Historic site Site of Cippenham Park, medieval Deer Park. Documents and place names indicate a park (founded HER(BERKS): 1252-72). Edward II used the park as a deer park and royal stud farm. J Hatherly has researched the MSL162
OA Feature Type Description Source Number available references and maps and has located the park pale. The relationship between the park and HER(BUCKS): Cippenham moat is uncertain, Hatherly suggests it is a keepers lodge. Cantor L. M. and Hatherly, J. 0244000000 1977. Records of Buckinghamshire Volume XX. 3. Pages 431-450 The Medieval Parks of Buckinghamshire 171 Archaeological Cippenham, Slough. During a watching brief on the construction of a nearby pipeline, two cores and a HER(BERKS):MSL397 findspot flake were found. No systematic fieldwalking was undertaken but the material hints at some sort of occupation activity in this vicinity. 172 Archaeological Possible palaeo-channel observed during a watching brief at Slough Sewage Treatment Works by HER(BERKS):MRM15 site Berkshire Archaeological Services in 2004. The channel was stratified below the peat and filled with an 772 alluvial clay loam 173 Archaeological Three unretouched flakes and a scraper were found during a watching brief at Slough Sewage HER(BERKS):MRM15 findspot Treatment Works by Berkshire Archaeological Services in 2004.They were recovered from the base of 773 a peat deposit and were associated with three fragments of burnt flint, including a core fragment. 174 Archaeological Drainage ditch 2.0 metres in width identified during a watching brief at Slough Sewage Treatment HER(BERKS):MRM15 site Works by Berkshire Archaeological Services in 2004. Visible as a distinct linear hollow in the meadows 771 on either side of the stripped area. The feature contained two sherds of post-medieval pottery and part of a fence post. 175 Archaeological Roundmoor Ditch possible site 2. Excavations carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services in NMR:656078 site 1991 as part of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief Scheme. One struck flint recovered. HER(BERKS):MSL154 75 176 Archaeological Small excavation carried out by J. J. Wymer in 1967 following the discovery of flints during digging of a NMR: 637306 site swimming pool. 177 Listed structure Clock Tower and Toad Hall. 18th century buildings. Grade II. HER(BERKS): DRM579 178 Listed structure Bray Film Studios. Grade II. HER(BERKS): DRM207 179 Archaeological Lake End Road West. Excavation in advance of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief HER(BERKS): site Scheme revealed a Late Iron Age and Early Romano-British site, consisting of ditched enclosures and MSL15469 at least one posthole structure. It is provisionally interpreted as a farmstead. 180 Archaeological Evaluation at Downplace Cottage carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services. No finds NMR: 1084658 site made. 181 Archaeological Building foundations, human remains and Roman coins have been discovered in the gardens west of HER(BERKS): site Down Place, Bray. In the early nineteenth century human remains and foundations of buildings were 00075.00.000
OA Feature Type Description Source Number discovered in the gardens to the west of Down Place. Coins of nine different emperors have also been HER(BERKS): found. Close by in a garden to the north west of Down Place coins and human remains were found at a MRW115 depth of three feet. In the early 1970’s 60 skeletons were uncovered in advance of development in the grounds of Down Place Cottage <10>. The area has produced numerous Roman antiquities and may represent a riverside villa. The site may also be linked to the cemetery and structures to the west. 182 NUMBER NOT USED 183 Archaeological Roundmoor Ditch, possible site 3. Excavations carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services NMR:656079 site in 1991 as part of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief Scheme. One struck flint recovered. 184 Archaeological Roundmoor Ditch, possible site 1. Excavations carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services NMR:656074 site in 1991 as part of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief Scheme. Single prehistoric pit recorded. 185 Cropmarks A possible Bronze Age round barrow is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. It is visible as a NMR:1232923 ring ditch with a diameter of 12m. 186 Cropmarks A probable ring ditch. Indistinct dark ring mark (very badly defined on north) visible on air photographs HER(BERKS):MSL343 within light/dark mottled crop. Dimensions approximate from sketch plot. 187 Archaeological Manor farm Sewage Treatment Works. Excavations carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological NMR:656073 site Services in 1991 as part of the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Relief Scheme. Undated archaeological site found. 188 Archaeological Prehistoric worked flint - Slough Sewage Works, Slough. Prehistoric worked flint was recovered during HER(BERKS):MSL119 findspot a watching brief. This included 13 flakes, 1 core, 2 scrapers and a point. 04 189 Cropmarks Fragmentary remains of possible enclosures and ditched boundaries, of unknown date, are visible as NMR:1028999 cropmarks on aerial photographs. The cropmarks extend over an area measuring 550m by 200m. It is HER(BUCKS): probable that the cropmarks represent the remains of a number of phases of a Bronze Age, Iron Age MBC6415 and Roman settlement. The most complete features are a possible hut circle situated at the east end of the cropmarks and a small enclosure (measuring 12m by 9m), with an entrance in its south east side, which is situated at the north end of the cropmarks. A double ditched feature within the complex is probably the remains of a trackway. 190 Conservation Village of Dorney, historic core. The area contains nineteen Grade II Listed Buildings, ranging from NMR:44027, 32-49 Area 16th century to 19th century in date with 20th century fittings. 209 Listed structure The Hermitage at Dorney. Court Lane, Dorney. Grade II listed structure. 19th Century folly cottage. NMR:44021 Flint and rubble with a little brick; slate roof with 3 brick chimneys rising on outside walls. 210 Listed structure Dorney Court. Former manor house with original 15th century hall, rebuilt circa 1510, altered 18th NMR:251251 century, restored 1950's. Surviving as a roofed building. Grade I listed structure. Externally the walls of & 44017
OA Feature Type Description Source Number the older parts are in places timber- framed with an in-filling of thin bricks. 211 Listed structure Dorney Court: Carthorse Stables. Court Lane, Dorney. Grade II listed structure. 19th Century in origin. NMR:44020 Polychromatic brick; old tile roof with chimney on ridge. 212 Listed structure Old Brewery at Dorney Court. Court Lane. Grade II listed structure. Built 1780. Red brick with timber- NMR:44019 framed gable and fish scale tile roof. 213 Listed structure Parish Church. Court Lane, Dorney. Grade I listed structure. 12th Century in origin with an early 16th NMR:44018 & 1028998 Century tower. Porch 1661. North Chapel early 17th century. Random rubble walls; old tile roofs. 214 Archaeological Braywick, nr Holyport. Excavation carried out by J McGovern for Maidenhead Archaeological and NMR:627949 site Historical Society in 1973. 215 Cropmarks A possible enclosure, of unknown date, is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The enclosure is NMR:1232949 rectilinear, ditched, measures 12m by 8m and has entrances to the east and west. It is centred at SU 9191 7902. 216 Archaeological Water Oakley Farm. Excavation carried out by T Wallis and FGW Talbot for Reading Museum in the NMR:637219 site late 1950s. Iron Age pottery recovered. 217 NUMBER NOT USED 218 NUMBER NOT USED 219 Archaeological A geophysical survey of an area measuring 40 metres by 40 metres around a Neolithic oval barrow at HER(BUCKS):EBC172 site Dorney Reach, centred on SU 91588 79547. 75 220 Archaeological Watching brief conducted at Trumpers Field, Meadow Way, Dorney by Reach Archaeological Services HER(BUCKS):EBC173 site & Consultancy Ltd in 2010. No archaeological observations made. 02 221 Archaeological Medieval fishery attached to Dorney manor and recorded in Domesday Book. HER(BUCKS):MBC617 site 1 222 Archaeological Eton Wick, south field. A Neolithic mortuary enclosure at Eton Wick, south field. One of two ditches NMR: site containing a substantial quantity of LBA pottery, antler and struck flint. Excavated by Steve Ford and 1024062 an MSC team in the 1980s. The causewayed enclosure comprises two curved, interrupted ditches 1024064 running roughly parallel, presumably forming the south-east side of a much larger curvilinear HER(BERKS): enclosure. Assuming a regular shape and a complete enclosure, the area enclosed would have been MRW269 roughly 4 hectares. The inner curved ditch is 100 metres long; the outer lies 30 to 40 metres east and MRW271 is 200 metres long. HER(BUCKS): 0482304200 0482304000 223 Archaeological Eton Wick, south field. Prehistoric ring ditch noted. Possibly part of a barrow cemetery. HER(BUCKS): site 482300000
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 482301000 224 Archaeological Eton Wick, south field. Prehistoric ring ditch noted. Possibly part of a barrow cemetery. HER(BUCKS): site 482300000 482301000 225 Archaeological A series of anomalies which may represent ditches, walls and banks were revealed during an archaeo- HER(BUCKS): site resistivity survey MRM16286 226 Archaeological Flint tools found along the River Thames between Windsor and Boveney Lock. HER(BERKS): findspot MRW7607 227 Archaeological Possible Medieval and/or Post Medieval ditched boundaries are visible as cropmarks on aerial NMR: site photographs. Two ditched boundaries measure 180m and 120m long. 1233161 228 Archaeological Possible Bronze Age ring-ditch seen on aerial photographs north of Boveney Place. HER(BUCKS): site 0434501002 229 Archaeological Concentration of prehistoric burnt flint found in river bank at Boveney Lock. NMR: findspot 1126932 HER(BUCKS): 0569600000 230 Archaeological Tranchet axes from River Thames at Boveney Lock. HER(BERKS): findspot MRW7638 231 Archaeological Two incomplete rectilinear ditched enclosures of unknown date are visible as cropmarks on aerial NMR: site photographs. They measure 30m by 22m and 30m by 35m. 1233162 232 Archaeological Ditched boundaries, of unknown date, are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. Three NMR: site boundaries are arranged in a seemingly random fashion and measure up to 60m long. The Bucks HER 1233122 speculates that these are a mixture of Bronze Age ring ditches along with Iron age and Romano-British HER(BUCKS): field systems. 0434501000 0434502000 233 Conservation Historic core of Boveney. Contains eight Grade II listed structures. All eight Grade II structures date HER(BUCKS): Area between the 16th and 18th centuries. 0854900000 1221400000 1221401000 1220500000 1220600000 1220800000 1220802000
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 1220802000 1221300000 1220803000 1220804000 234 NUMBER NOT USED
235 Archaeological Enclosure of uncertain date seen on aerial photographs near Boveney. HER(BUCKS): site 0626000000 236 Archaeological Series of parallel ditches of uncertain date seen on aerial photographs north of Boveney Place. HER(BUCKS): site 0434504000 237 Archaeological Site of former pit shown on nineteenth century maps. HER(BUCKS): site 0895500000 238 Archaeological Human remains, probably from a former medieval to post-medieval graveyard at St Mary Magdalen's HER(BUCKS): site church, found whilst fieldwalking. 0467101000 239 Archaeological Mesolithic finds - River Thames at Boveney, New Windsor. HER(BERKS): findspot 02970.00.000
240 Archaeological LBA spear from River Thames at Surley Head Point, Windsor. NMR: findspot 251295 HER(BERKS): 00085.00.000 241 Archaeological Stray finds from the caravan park by Windsor Marina, Bray. HER(BERKS): findspot 04177.00.000 242 Archaeological Evaluation carried out at Manor Nurseries, Oakley Green by Thames Valley Archaeological Services. A NMR: site pit and some prehistoric lithic tools were recovered. 1085679 243 Archaeological A single cropmark circle visible on aerial photographs. Possible Ring ditch at Bray. HER(BERKS): site 00105.00.000 244 Archaeological Medieval fishery attached to Dorney manor and recorded in Domesday Book. HER(BUCKS): site 0210400001 245 Archaeological Iron axe blade and padlock - River Thames, Oakley Court, Bray. HER(BERKS): findspot 02804.00.000 246 Archaeological A Late Bronze Age spearhead was dredged from the Thames at Oakley Court, below Bray, in October NMR: findspot 1953. 251291
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 247 Listed structure Oakley Court Hotel. Grade II*. NMR: 251370 HER(BERKS): 41106 248 Archaeological Late Bronze Age metalwork found in the Thames near Oakley Court. HER(BUCKS): findspot 0489500000 249 Archaeological A small, Neolithic, flint adze was found in June 1963 by Mr D.L. Thurlow, Willow Bend, Oakley Green, NMR: findspot Windsor, and given to Reading Museum 251274 250 Cropmarks Circular crop marks on Air Photograph. The area indicated is on the gravel of The Thames Plain and is NMR: now part of a market garden. Nothing is visible on the ground, nor has the owner ever noticed anything 251338 significant. The features referred to by the previous authorities could not be identified on any of the available aerial photographs consulted during a survey of the area. 251 Archaeological Land at Water Oakley, Windsor Road. An archaeological watching brief was carried out during the sites excavation of geotechnical test pits and trial trenches. No archaeology was recorded. 252 NUMBER NOT USED 253 Archaeological Middle Iron Age findspot - Water Oakley, Bray. HER(BERKS): findspot 00132.00.000 254 NUMBER NOT USED 255 Archaeological Mesolithic finds found beneath a layer of alluvium in Prior's Pit. NMR: 251362 findspot 256 Archaeological A late Saxon spearhead (described in the Museum as Viking) was found in the river Thames below the NMR: 251311 findspot Cut at Bray in March 1951. 257 Archaeological Moat at Mills Farm, Oakley Green Road, Bray. A small area almost completely enclosed by a water- HER(BERKS): site filled ditch. The ditch (c.6ft deep) was filled in c.1956 and by 1962 only a small pond remained. Norden 0087.00.000 shows a rectangular moat called "The Lodge" somewhere in this locality A Medieval and/or Post Medieval moat, situated to the north of Mills Farm is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. The moat encloses an area measuring 50m by 30m and has an entrance in its east side. 258 Archaeological Rectlinear earthworks- EBAS AP40, Oakley Green, Bray. Rectilinear earthworks visible on air HER(BERKS): site photographs. Identified as part of the East Berkshire Archaeological Survey. 0333.00.000 259 Listed structure Willow Farmhouse. Grade II. NMR: 41073 260 Listed structure Brewhouse and adjoining wall approximately 15 metres south west of Willow Farmhouse. Grade II. NMR: 41075
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 261 Listed structure Barn, approximately 20 metres south of Willow Farmhouse. Grade II. NMR: 41074 262 Cropmarks Cropmark ridge and furrow - EBAS AP39, Oakley Green, Bray. HER(BERKS): MRW4966 263 Listed structure Three bays remain of a two-storey timber framed house c1550 with a clasped purlin curved wind-brace NMR: 513003 roof. In front is a symmetrical brick Georgian house of two-storeys with cellar and five sash windows to the upper floors. Classical porch. Grade II. 264 Listed structure Ye Olde Red Lion, Oakley Green. Grade II. NMR: 41078 265 Historic structure Tudor Barn, Oakley Green Road, Oakley Green. HER(BERKS): MRM15904 266 Cropmarks Rectilinear cropmarks - EBAS AP41, Oakley Green. HER(BERKS): MRW4967 267 Listed structure Bishop's Farm House, Oakley Green. Grade II. NMR: 41018 268 Listed structure The Old Malt House. Oakley Green. Grade II. NMR: 41042 269 Cropmarks Ridge and furrow - EBAS AP42 HER(BERKS): 03336.00.000 270 Archaeological Evaluation carried out by Thames Valley Archaeological Services in advance of proposed development NMR: site recorded a single gully of medieval or later date. 41039 271 Listed structure The Old Farmhouse. Oakley Green. Grade II*. NMR: 251376 HER(BERKS): DRM223 272 Listed structure The White House. Oakley Green. Grade II. HER(BERKS): DRM562 273 Listed structure Granary, approximately 10 metres east of The White House. Oakley Green. HER(BERKS): DRM224 274 Archaeological Part of a medieval hearth dated to c.1350 was discovered by Mr D. Garrett whilst digging the NMR: 251372 site foundations for a fishpond at 17 Knights Close. HER(BERKS): MRW159 275 Archaeological The site of a manor house at Knight's Close, Dedworth. Documentary research suggests a Norman HER(BERKS): site and later manor house on this site. An excavation in 1983 revealed a hearth. Given the size of the 00117.03.000
OA Feature Type Description Source Number hearth it must have been connected with a medieval building of considerable proportions, possibly an early manor house. Three pieces of red pottery were found on the surface of the hearth and these were dated to c. AD 1350. 276 Archaeological Medieval (or later) features, Rear of 17-27 Smiths Lane, Dedworth. NMR:1491055 site HER(BERKS): MRM16188 277 Archaeological Quadrangular moat - off Wolf Lane, Dedworth. South of Dedworth near the green there was a small HER(BERKS): site quadrangular moat. This has since been destroyed by a housing development. The moat is shown on 00117.02.000 the 1932 1:2500 OS map <4>. It is believed to be the site of Manor of Dedworth Loring c.1200 when the manor was held by Peter de Loring that stood on the boundary of Windsor Forest. 278 Archaeological Prehistoric findspot - 22 Dedworth Road, Windsor. A ficron and a Neolithic polished stone axe were HER(BERKS): findspot found in the garden of 22 Dedworth Road, Windsor. The Neolithic stone axe was found 2-4 ft. down. 02988.00.000 Details from Windsor Museum record card. An alternative find spot for the Neolithic axe is The Riverside coach park. 279 Archaeological A Lower Palaeolithic handaxe was found in the garden of 22 Dedworth Road by S Baker. The object NMR:1126934 findspot was found on the south edge of Floodplain gravel geology. 280 Listed structures St Anne’s House Convent of St John The Baptist, Dedworth. Grade II* and Grade II buildings make up HER(BERKS): this group. DRM468 DRM879 DRM1071 281 Archaeological During an archaeological evaluation at the Convent of St John the Baptist a number of archaeological HER(BERKS): site features were revealed. These included a medieval ditch which was orientated NE/SW with gentle MRM15778 sloping sides which gave way to a rounded base, and contained 13th-15th century pottery, copper alloy objects, building material and animal bone and shell in its fill. Other medieval features revealed were a short ditch ( F1012) and a pit (F1008). The ditch was orientated NNW/SSE, it had moderately sloping sides leading to a flat base, and its dark orange grey silty clay fill contained 13th-15th century pottery. The pit was rectangular in plan (0.60m x 0.52 x 0.08m) with steep sides and a flat base. Its fill contained 13-15th century pottery and a copper alloy fragment. Post-medieval layers, and two post- medieval ditches were also revealed, and these contained 15th-17th century pottery and animal bone. An undated post hole and another pit were also identified on the site, and an undated section of red brick wall. 282 Landscape Millstream running through the Racecourse site. Possible Medieval origin. Historic mapping feature
OA Feature Type Description Source Number 283 Listed structure Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Boveney. Grade I Listed. Redundant and disused. Chalk and flint NMR: 44029 coursed rubble with ashlar dressings. Fifteenth century windows. Weather-boarded tower. 284 Historic structure The Royal Windsor Grandstand was built in the late 19th century, and still retains many original Historic mapping Victorian features 285 Hedgerow Hedgerow defining the north edge of the Balloon Meadow at Windsor Racecourse. A physical, parish Historic mapping boundary is shown on this location on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map of 1871. It is possible that the existing hedgerow may meet the meet the criteria to be termed an ‘Important Hedgerow’ according to the provisions of the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations. 286 Hedgerow Hedgerow defining part of the southern perimeter of the PTH. A physical boundary is shown on this Historic mapping location on the Tithe map of 1840 and the Ordnance Survey First Edition map of 1871. It is possible that the existing hedgerow may meet the meet the criteria to be termed an ‘Important Hedgerow’ according to the provisions of the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations.
Appendix 4B: Cultural Heritage Asset Gazetteer - Identified Cultural Heritage Features in Dorney Lake (Figure 4.4)
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
1 Late Upper Flint blades in Trench 165 OA 1995, section Palaeolithic/Early 4.2.7.2 Mesolithic 2 Early Mesolithic Flint blades in the top of a periglacial swallow hole in Area 24A OA 2003 unpublished 3 Early Mesolithic Flint blades in Area 20, just west of the corner of Channel S Allen and Mitchell 2001 4 Early Mesolithic Lakeside settlement of flints, animal bones and charcoal in Trenches 166, 180, 173 and 165 OA 1995, 3.2.3-4, Fig.4 5 Early Mesolithic 470 flints including tranchet axe found in the back garden of a house just east of Down Place, Bray, Wymer 1977; Ford on the south bank of the modern Thames (Berks HER 104) 1987, 59 and Fig. 23. 6 Later Mesolithic Microliths and other flints in Trench 169 on the levee of Channel T OA 1995, 7 Later Mesolithic Flint blades in Trench 48 on Terrace Y OA 1995, 8 Later Mesolithic Clusters of struck blades on the floodplain in Area 5 Allen and Welsh 1997 9 Later Mesolithic Microliths and other tools from the gravel terrace in Area 6 Allen et al. forthcoming 10 Later Mesolithic Microliths and blades in tree-throw holes in Ex1 on Terrace X Allen and Welsh 1996
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
11 A-Later Mesolithic Antler beam mattock on the levee of Channel T in Ex3 Allen and Welsh 1998 B- Early Neolithic Cattle skeleton in edge of Channel T in Ex3, radiocarbon date 3650-3370 cal.BC (BM-3177; 4750 ± 50 BP) 12 Later Mesolithic Pebble macehead or digging weight found on the south edge of Channel T in Watching Brief in Area Allen and Welsh 1998 14 13 A- Early, Middle Hollow crossing Area 6 containing middens and tree-throw holes full of finds. Also two Neolithic Allen and Welsh 1997; and Late Neolithic crouched burials. 1998 B- Early Bronze Age 14 A- Early, Middle Hollow crossing Area 10 containing disturbed middens and tree-throw holes full of pottery, struck Allen and Welsh 1997 and Late Neolithic flints, plus quernstone fragments and animal bones. Also two Neolithic partial cattle burials. Allen et al. 2004 B- Early Bronze Middle Bronze Age waterholes, one with two crouched human burials adjacent. Radiocarbon dates Age from waterhole and one human burial. Middle Bronze Five cattle burials, one with a bronze axe fragment, and one sheep burial. Radiocarbon dates from Age three cattle burials: Also other deep pits, a boundary ditch alongside the hollow and other small pits Late Bronze Age and tree-throw holes of Middle and Late Bronze Age date. C- Iron Age Working hollow and small pits of Iron Age and early Roman date D - Early Roman Furrows of ridge-and-furrow cultivation were found crossing the site on a north-westerly orientation Post-medieval 15 Early Neolithic Area of Early Neolithic pottery and struck flint in Trench 88 at the SE corner of Area 10 OA 1996, 5.1.5.1; Allen et al. 2004 16 Early, Middle and Pits and tree-throw holes in Area 16 containing Neolithic pottery and struck flints Allen and Welsh 1998 Late Neolithic 17 A- Neolithic Pits and tree-throw holes in Ex1 on Terrace X containing Neolithic pottery or struck flints Allen and Welsh 1996 B- Early/Middle Small pits full of burnt flint and charcoal, possibly of Bronze Age date Allen and Welsh 1998 Bronze Age? Allen et al. 2004 18 Middle Neolithic Peterborough Ware pottery in pits and layers in Trenches H-J on the gravel terrace edge north of OA 1991 Channel S 19 Middle Neolithic Peterborough Ware pottery found in a hollow in Trench 183 on the gravel terrace south of the Cress OA 1995 3.2 6; Allen Brook Channel et al 2004
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
20 Early Neolithic Suspected Neolithic causewayed enclosure known from aerial photographs, refs Carstairs 1986 Site D; Dyer 1996. 21 Middle Neolithic Peterborough Ware pottery in tree-throw holes found in Area RC1 (Road Corridor north of the Start Allen et al. forthcoming end of the Rowing Course) 22 Late Neolithic Pit containing Grooved Ware pottery in Area 24 Allen and Mitchell 2001 23 A- Late Neolithic? Cropmark ring ditch with triple concentric rings south-west of Area 24. It is thought likely that the Carstairs 1986; B- Early Bronze smallest and earliest phase of this monument originated in the Neolithic. Extended probably in the Catherall 2001; Allen Age/ Early Bronze Age, and surrounded by a rectangular ditched enclosure in the Middle Bronze Age. et al. Forthcoming Middle Bronze Two offset ditch alignments on the NW side. Age 24 Early Neolithic Human skull in Channel T in Area 5, radiocarbon date 3670-3370 cal.BC (OxA-8820; 4795 ± 50 BP) Allen et al. 2000 25 Middle Neolithic Human skull in Channel T west of Ex1, radiocarbon date 3330-2920 cal.BC (OxA-8821; 4410 ± 45 Allen et al. 2000 BP) 26 Late Neolithic Human skeleton in Channel V west of Area 6, radiocarbon date 2880-2580 cal.BC (OxA-8817; 4155 Allen et al. 2000 ± 45 BP) 27 Middle Neolithic Red deer antler placed over ox skull on the north edge of Channel T west of Area 1. These were Allen et al. 2000 radiocarbon-dated to 3330-3020 cal.BC (OxA-8752; 4425 ± 40 BP and OxA-8815; 4500 ± 50 BP) respectively 28 Early Neolithic Burnt hearth area with carinated Early Neolithic potsherds at the north edge of Channel T in Area 14 Allen and Welsh 1998; Late Burnt mound and pit on N edge of Channel T in Area 14, radiocarbon date 2580-2340 cal.BC (OxA- Allen et al. 2004 Neolithic/Early 10227; 3920 ± 40 BP) Bronze Age 29 Late Neolithic Burnt mound at edge of Channel T in Area 16, radiocarbon date 2920-2670 cal.BC (OxA-10226; Allen and Welsh 1998; 4190 ±45 BP) Allen et al. 2004 30 Early Neolithic Clusters of struck flint on floodplain in Basin R, in Areas Ex1-3. Allen et al.2004 31 Early Neolithic Occupation area with struck flint clusters around burnt hearth and pit with burnt flint on floodplain in Allen and Welsh 1996; Area Ex1. Arrowhead manufacture. Allen et al. 2004 32 Early, Middle and Pottery scatters along the edge of the floodplain and gravel Terrace X in Areas Ex1-3 Allen et al. Late Neolithic Forthcoming
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
33 Early Neolithic Struck flint clusters and flint leaf point on floodplain on edge of Channel T in Area 5. Pottery in Allen and Welch 1997; channel edge. Allen et al. 2004 34 Early Neolithic Struck flint clusters including arrowheads on both edges of Channel T in Area 3. Allen and Welsh 1996; Allen et al. 2004 35 Early and Middle Four ring-ditches, two either side of Neolithic hollow, in Area 6. SW and NW ring ditches dated to Carstairs 1986; Allen Bronze Age the Beaker period, SE ring-ditch to the Middle Bronze Age. Eight cremations, three in a line, and and Welsh 1997; Allen (Late Iron Age one inhumation associated with the SE ring ditch, and two cremations with the SW ring ditch. Fourth et al. 2000 and early Roman) penannular ditch of uncertain date. Post-medieval A waterhole, gullies and shallow pits/tree-throw holes around barrows tentatively dated to the Middle/Late Bronze Age, but few finds. A very few Late Iron Age and Roman sherds. Two post-medieval ditches (visible as cropmarks) and furrows of ridge-and-furrow cultivation crossed Area 6 on a west-south-west alignment. 36 Early Bronze Age Ring-ditch on edge of Channel T in Area 16, tentatively dated by pottery to the Beaker period. Allen and Welsh 1997; Middle Bronze Undated crouched inhumation outside, and Late Bronze Age crouched inhumation, radiocarbon Allen et al. 2000 Age Late Bronze date 1210-840 cal.BC (BM-3174; 2850 ± 50 BP) cut into ring ditch. Four-post structure in centre of Bucks HER Age ring ditch, possibly Iron Age. Allen et al. (Iron Age?) Pits and burnt mound spread on edge of terrace and Channel T, associated with Middle Bronze Age Forthcoming pottery and a human femur. 37 Early Bronze Cropmark ring-ditch on gravel terrace north of Channel S. Plotted as D-shaped enclosure by Carstairs 1986; Age? Carstairs, but as 3/4 circle by RCHM (E). The aerial photographs show that one half overlies silty RCHM (E) 1995; sands, so the ditch is not so clear. Allen et al. Forthcoming 38 Early Bronze Age Two small circular pits containing struck flint in Area 24 Allen and Mitchell Post-medieval Furrows of ridge-and-furrow cultivation were found across the south-western half of Area 24, but not 2001 beyond. 39 Early Bronze Age Hearth with pottery found on occupation horizon within floodplain in Trench 159, Basin R OA 1995, 3.2.4.17 40 Early Bronze Age Occupation horizon at edge of floodplain and Terrace X in Area Ex1, consisting of struck flint Allen and Welsh 1996 clusters, burnt areas and spreads of Beaker and other Early Bronze Age pottery 41 Early Bronze Age Large parts of two Collared Urns found on the floodplain close to the levee in Area Ex2, Basin R. Allen et al. Forthcoming
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
42 Early Bronze Age Burnt mound spread on floodplain horizon at edge of Terrace X and Basin W, radiocarbon date Allen and Welch 1998; 2290-1970 cal.BC (OxA-10228; 3666 ± 40 BP). Found in Trench 208, and fully excavated in Area Parker and Robinson 11, where charcoal flecks extended over a large area, suggesting a clearance horizon. 2003 43 Early Bronze Age Scatter of struck flint including barbed-and-tanged arrowhead, animal bones and charcoal on Allen and Welch 1997; floodplain west of Channel V in Area 4. Allen et al. forthcoming 44 Middle Bronze Rectilinear system of cropmark enclosures on gravel terrace, part-excavated in Areas 20 and 24, OA 1991, 36-7 and Age NAR (Northern Access Road) and RC2 (Road Corridor). Enclosure of varying sizes, two containing Figure 3; waterholes and pottery, quernstones and charred plant remains suggesting domestic activity, a third Allen and Mitchell waterhole associated with a burnt mound. Four cremations, three in urns, and one crouched 2001; Allen et al. inhumation, found in Trench 22 within Area 24 at south-west end adjacent to ring ditch (OA23). Forthcoming Radiocarbon date on charred grain in Area 24 enclosure is 1409-1262 cal.BC (OxA-13598; 3073 ± 27 BP) 45 Middle Bronze Trapezoidal fields or enclosures extending south-eastwards from enclosures (OA 44), confirmed by Bucks HER; Allen et Age excavation in Area 24C in 2003. al. Forthcoming 46 Middle Bronze System of rectilinear enclosure ditches containing pits and other cropmark features, on gravel OA 1991, Figure 4; Age terrace between Channel S and Cress Brook channel. Middle Bronze Age pottery found in Trenches Allen and Mitchell H-J. Cropmarks show a trackway leading south towards Channel S, confirmed by excavation in 2001 Area 18 47 Middle Bronze A- Two parallel lines of upright massive roundwood stakes crossing Channel T in Area 3. Allen and Welsh 1997; Age Radiocarbon dates 1420-1310 cal.BC (BM-3022; 3150 ± 50 BP), (BM-3020; 3050 ± 40 BP) Allen and Welsh 1998 B- Further lines of slighter paired upright stakes formed another crossing structure alongside, Allen et al. 2000 Early Iron Age radiocarbon date 770-400 cal. BC, (BM-3023; 2450 ± 50 BP and BM-3021; 2425 ± 50 BP)
48 Late Bronze Age? Two parallel lines of upright small roundwood stakes extending from north edge of Channel T in Allen and Welsh 1997 Area 5. Part of an Early Iron Age pottery vessel and a late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age wooden ard found in silting around uprights 49 Middle and Late Sandbank in the middle of Channel T part-excavated in Area 1 adjacent to Area Ex1. Human and Allen and Welsh 1997; Bronze Age animal bones found in the sandbank, with three upright stakes driven into the edge of the sandbank, Allen et al. 2000 and two virtually complete Late Bronze Age pots adjacent in the channel. 50 Middle Bronze Burnt mound deposit found on edge of the western gravel terrace in Trench 181, dipping down onto OA 1995, 3.2.4 and Age? the floodplain in Basin R. No associated artefacts. Figure 5
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
51 A- Middle and Bronze Axes dredged from the Thames at Monkey Island and Queen’s Eyot adjacent to the Site. Ford 1987, Figure 27; Late Bronze Age Anglo-Saxon weaponry has also been dredged from the Thames along the stretch between York 2002 B- Saxon Queen’s Eyot and Boveney Ford 1987, Figure 35 52 A- Mesolithic Pebble maceheads, flint blades, antler and red deer bones found in Prior’s gravel pit (Berks HER Ford 1987, 59 and Fig. B- Early Neolithic 122) 23 C- Bronze Age Bone comb, human bones and `Windmill Hill ware’ found in Hoveringham Gravel Pit (Berks HER Ford 1987, 66 and Fig, D- Iron Age 121) 24. Uprights of a Lake Village structure and a log boat also found in Hoveringham Gravel Pit, together Ford 1987, Figure 27; with Bronze Age pottery and bronze weaponry C Stanley pers. comm; Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery, a spindle whorl and bone was reportedly found in the Ford 1987, 79 and Hoveringham pit (Berks HER 125). Figure 28 53 Early-Middle Iron A settlement of dense shallow intercutting pits and at least three four-post structures was partly Allen and Welsh 1997 Age excavated in Area 15 alongside the silted Inlet Z. A boundary ditch ran alongside the inlet. 54 Early-Middle Iron An Iron Age boundary ditch, postholes and other ditches forming small enclosures alongside Inlet Z. OA unpublished 2003 Age A probable continuation of the settlement to the south-east (OA53) 55 Middle-Late Iron A - Deep-ditched enclosure on the edge of Channel T in Area 16, incorporating a Bronze Age ring Carstairs 1986; Age ditch (OA36). Allen and Welsh 1998 Romano-British Contained pits, a four-post and a six-post structure, plus an arc of gully and one of pits suggesting Allen 1999; Allen et al the position of a roundhouse. 2000; Allen and B - Extended in the Late Iron Age and early Roman period into a tripartite enclosure, with wells, pits, Mitchell 2001, OA a post-pad barn, corndriers and ovens. One adult human burial and a scatter of infant burials. unpublished 2003 56 Middle-Late Iron Long boundary ditch excavated in Areas 20 and 24 crossing the Bronze Age enclosures (OA44). Allen and Mitchell Age Continues west after a gap as a cropmark to the Thames, and east to meet another ditch at right 2001; angles (OA57). OA unpublished 2003 57 Middle-Late Iron Long boundary ditch with a four-post structure adjacent, excavated in the Northern Access Road Allen and Mitchell Age (NAR) north of Area 20, running north at right angles to (OA57) across the Bronze Age enclosures. 2001 58 Prehistoric? Sub-rectangular cropmark enclosure plotted by Carstairs in the very north-west corner of the Site, Carstairs 1986; but not confirmed by the subsequent NMR Survey of the Thames Gravels. Re-examination of the RCHM(E) 1995; cropmarks suggests that Carstairs was mistaken, and that his enclosure was a mixture of one or Oblique aerial more ditches on the alignment of the Bronze Age enclosure system, plus post-medieval furrows and photograph a path around the edge of the field. AP07CS76
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
59 Early and Middle Wooden structures consisting of two or more lines of upright stakes crossing Channel T in Area 5 Allen and Welsh 1996; Iron Age and extending east towards Area 3. Interpreted as supports for bridges. One structure had a hurdle Allen and Welsh 1997; trackway laid between the rows at a later date to provide a fording place. Radiocarbon dating (Allen Allen and Welsh 1998; and Welsh 1998, ) has shown that these are mostly Early Iron Age; the latest is Middle Iron Age. A Allen et al. 2000 partial human skeleton was found alongside one bridge, and single human bones alongside others. 60 Middle-Late Iron Massive 2m length of oak trunk found in Channel T during Watching Brief between Areas Ex2 and Allen and Welsh 1997 Age Ex3. The trunk had been cut square at the ends, with a mortice hole 0.3 m square in one side. ; Allen and Welsh Radiocarbon date 270-110 cal.BC (BM-3110; 2170 ± 40 BP). Late Iron Age scythe or early Roman 1998; scythe, earliest evidence for hay-making in Britain. Radiocarbon date 150 cal.BC-80 cal.AD (OxA- Allen 2002 8955; 2105 ± 35 BP) 61 Late Iron Age Large amber bead recovered in Area 4 from late phase of Channel V, probably Late Iron Age. Allen and Welsh 1997; Roman pottery from silts overlying active channel Wallis in Allen et al. Forthcoming 62 Roman Wooden cart-side in Area 3 on north bank of Channel T, radiocarbon date 240-460 cal.AD (BM- Allen and Welsh 1996; 3159; 1670 ± 45 BP). Complete 4th century pottery bowl and two whole rotary quernstones adjacent. 63 A- Roman Cemetery of 7 late Roman cremations and four inhumations found on the south side of the modern Stanley 1972; B- Anglo-Saxon Thames at Down Place Cottage in the 1960s by the Middle Thames Archaeological Society. Some Bates and Stanley burials overlain by a 5th century gravel/cobbled surface, then cut by others. Anglo-Saxon unpublished occupation above, including pottery, 120 very late worn Roman coins and metalworking including crucibles, 5th-6th century Saxon activity. 64 Anglo-Saxon Single inhumation burial in north-south grave found west of the ring-ditches and east of Channel V Allen and Welsh 1997; in Area 6. Foreman et al. 2002 An assortment of objects including an amethyst pendant at the waist dated the burial to the 7th century AD.
Number not used
OA Period Description Ref. Source No
66 Medieval / post- Waterhole or pond visible as a cropmark found west of Boveney and north of Area 6 within the Eton Allen in Foreman et al. medieval Rowing Course development area. Dated by fragments of two horseshoes, one of 13th/14th century 2002, 85-6; type. Cropmarks of ditched plots to the east probably represent earlier phases of the current post- RCHM(E) 1995 medieval properties 67 Post-medieval Curving ditch found in Area 20, and continuing as a cropmark north-east and south-east. Follows Carstairs 1986; the curve of Channel S, and was probably a boundary between the gravel terrace and the silted Allen and Mitchell channel. Predates historic maps. 2001; Foreman et al. 2002
Appendix 4B: Cultural Heritage References and Sources
Bibliographic Sources
Allen, T., 1995, Dorney, Eton College Rowing Lake: 1994 evaluation, South Midlands Archaeology 25, 29-31
Allen, T., 1998, Locating, evaluating and interpreting lithic scatters: the Eton Rowing Lake experience, Lithics 19, 33-46
Allen, T., 2000, Dorney, Eton Rowing Lake. Fourth Interim Report, South Midlands Archaeology 30, 21
Allen, T., and Welsh, K., 1996, Eton Rowing Lake, Dorney, Buckinghamshire, South Midlands Archaeology 26, 23-30 Allen, T., and Welsh, K., 1997, Eton Rowing Lake, Dorney, Buckinghamshire. Second Interim Report, South Midlands Archaeology 27, 25-34 Allen, T., Hey, G., & Miles, D., 1997, A line of time: approaches to archaeology in the Upper and Middle Thames Valley, England, in Graham-Campbell, J., (ed.), Riverine Archaeology, World Archaeology 30, 114-29.
Allen, T., and Welsh, K., 1998, Eton Rowing Lake, Dorney, Buckinghamshire. Third Interim Report, South Midlands Archaeology 28, 75-84
Allen, T., with Hacking, P. and Boyle, A., 2000, Eton Rowing Course at Dorney Lake. The Burial Traditions, Tarmac Papers 4, 65-106.
Allen, T., and Mitchell, N., 2001, Dorney, Eton Rowing Lake. Fifth interim report, South Midlands Archaeology 31, 26-30.
Allen, T., 2002, Eton College Rowing Course at Dorney Lake, Current Archaeology 181, 20-25
Allen, T., Barclay, A., and Lamdin-Whymark, H., 2004, Opening the wood, making the land: the study of a Neolithic landscape in the Dorney area of the Middle Thames Valley, in Towards a New Stone Age: aspects of the Neolithic in south-east England, Cotton, J., and Field, D., (eds.), Counc. Brit. Archaeol. Res. Rep. 137, 82-98
Barclay, A., and Halpin, 1999, Excavations at Barrow Hills, Radley, Oxfordshire Volume I: The Neolithic and Bronze Age monument complex, Oxford Archaeological Unit, Thames Valley Landscapes 11
Bates, W. E., and Stanley, C. C., unpublished, Excavations at the Late Roman and Early Saxon site at Bray, Berkshire, 1969-71, manuscript report.
Carstairs, P., 1986 a, An Archaeological Study of the Dorney Area, Records of Bucks 28, 163-8 and Plates XIII and XIV
Carstairs, P., 1986 b, The Dorney Study: an archaeological implications report, unpublished, report commissioned by Thames Water and prepared by Buckinghamshire County Museum
Dyer, C., 1996, A possible Neolithic causewayed enclosure at Dorney, Buckinghamshire, in Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic, unpublished, Aerial Photographic Transcription and Analysis.
Ford, S., 1987, East Berkshire Archaeological Survey. Department of Highways and Planning, Berkshire County Council, Occasional Paper No 1
Foreman, S., 1998, Excavations in advance of the Environment Agency Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme, South Midlands Archaeology 28, 26-31
Foreman, S., Hiller, J. and Hardy, A., 2002, Gathering the people, settling the land. The Archaeology of a middle Thames landscape: Anglo-Saxon to post-medieval, Oxford Archaeology Thames Valley Landscapes Monograph 14
Gates, T., 1975, The Middle Thames Valley. An archaeological survey of the river gravels, Berks Archaeol. Committee Publication No. 1
Holgate, R., 1988, Neolithic settlement of the Thames basin, Brit Archaeol. Rep. Brit. Ser. 194
Lamdin-Whymark, H., and Maricevic, D., 2009, On the survey of a Neolithic oval barrow at Dorney Reach, in Recs. of Bucks 49 1-7
Oxford Archaeological Associates Ltd, 1991, West Town Farm and Lake End Farm, Taplow, Bucks
Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1991, The Eton College Rowing Lake, Dorney, South Buckinghamshire, Archaeological Technical Report
Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1995, The Eton College Rowing Lake, Dorney, South Buckinghamshire, Archaeological Evaluation 1994
Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1996 a, The Eton College Rowing Lake, Dorney, South Buckinghamshire, Archaeological Evaluations 1995
Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1996 b, Eton Rowing Lake: Proposed Archaeological Mitigation Strategy
Oxford Archaeology, 2002, Eton Rowing Course, Dorney, Buckinghamshire. Assessment of Archaeological Impacts and Written Scheme of Investigation for Mitigation of Widening of the Return Lane
Oxford Archaeology, 2008, Desk-bases assessment of Archaeological Impacts related to proposed changes at Eton Rowing Course, Dorney, South Bucks.
Parker, A. G., and Robinson, M. A., 2003, Palaeoenvironmental investigations on the middle Thames at Dorney, UK, in Howard, A .J., Macklin, M. G. and Passmore, D. G., (eds.), Alluvial Archaeology in Europe, Proceedings of the Alluvial Archaeology of North-West Europe and Mediterranean 2000, Lisse, 43-60
Pevsner, N., and Williamson, E., 1994, The Buildings of England. Buckinghamshire (2nd edn.), Penguin Books.
Stanley, C., 1972, Bray Roman cemetery, Berkshire, Council for British Archaeology Group 9 Newsletter 2, 12 and Figure 5
Stanley, C., 1984, The History of Britain - An Aerial View, Batsford
York, J., 2002, The life cycle of Bronze Age metalwork from the Thames, Oxford Arch. J. 21 No. 1, 77-92
Victoria County History (W. Page, ed.), 1923, A History of the County of Berkshire, 3, 72-77
Victoria County History (W. Page, ed.), 1925, A History of the County of Buckingham, 3, 165-184
Wymer, J.J., (ed.), 1977, Gazetteer of Mesolithic sites in England and Wales, Counc. Brit. Archaeol. Research Rep. 22, Geo Abstracts (Norwich).
Other Sources
Berkshire Historic Environment Record Buckinghamshire Historic Environment Record National Monuments Record National Air Photographic Library Dorney Court Archives Eton College Archives Bodleian Library Sackler Library
Cartographic Sources ‘A Plan of Boverney lowerside with the lowerside of part of the Parish of Dorney in the county of Buckingham’ (1812) ‘A rough plan of the upper part of the Manor of Dorney in the County of Bucks beginning at Linger Hatch Gate and ending at the Tree in Green Common, taken June 1782’ ‘A survey of the estates in the parishes of Beaconsfield, Chalfont St. Peter, Burnham, Dorney, Hatcham, Taplow and Wobourn in the area of Burnham, County of Bucks - belonging to Edmund Waller esq.’ (1763) British Geological Survey 1981 Windsor Sheet 269, Solid and Drift, 1: 50,000 series British Geological Survey 1999 Windsor Sheet 269, Solid and Drift, 1:50,000 series Berks, Bucks and Oxon printed Bacon’s 2” to inch showing administrative areas, early 20th century Dorney Court estate coloured on dyline base 1960s Enlargement of OS 25” Bucks OS 25” 52.4 with houses on Littleworth Common marked Eton RD street names (post-war, pre 1974) Map by Mr J. singer (1839) showing diversion and blocking of footpaths. OS maps marked for Commons Registration 1960s? OS 25” maps of Eton and Dorney OS 25” with Boveney Common marked OS 25” with Dorney estate tenants marked (and another photostat of similar), 1932 OS 25” showing landowners in the Dorney area OS 6” 1st Edition (1871) maps of Dorney and Bray
OS 6” showing parish boundaries (civil and eccl.), rights of way and major landowners, colouring added to OS base, with accompanying 11/2/61 letter from Col Palmer (1961) OS 6” dyeline with some property boundaries marked OS 6” with some boundaries coloured in (1930s) OS maps with Dorney property (strips) and footpaths coloured [Be31.2 Bu55.3-4], 1931 OS Superplan of Dorney Court and surroundings (c1990) OS 20th century with historic fieldnames marked OS maps annotated with footpaths for Ramblers appeal Printed maps of Bucks (Morden), with original colouring Photostat of Bucks RO 1812 map of Dorney parish Plan of Boverney - lower side and part of Dorney (1808) Plan of the Parish of Dorney in the County of Buckingham with its two detachment parts (1840) Tithe Map of Dorney Parish - lower part (1840) Tithe Map of the Parish of Bray (1841) Tithe Map of the Parish of Boveney (1880 tracing) A A 4 MANCHESTER 4 0 A 0 1 04 Harrow A4 4 0 ! ! ! ! ! 1 ! ! 3 ! ! ! Coleshill ! ! ! ! ! ! Buckinghamshire ! A 4 ! Ealing 1 ! A ! Beaconsfield 2 ! High Wycombe 4 M 0 4 ! NORWICH A 0 ! ! 4 ! ! 3 ! ! ! 5 BIRMINGHAM 5 ! ! Henley-on-Thames Rickmansworth ! ! ! ! Hillingdon A4130 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Slough ! Wokingham ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! 4 ! ! OXFORD A Maidenhead ! Twyford ! ! 5 !! !! ! 2 ! M ! CARDIFF LONDON A Surrey ! ! 3 ! ! Sunbury-on-Thames 0 Windsor ! 8 ! ! Reading ! ! ! ! Bracknell Egham ! ! ! !!!! !!!Hounslow ! ! EXETER 30 A 3 ! ! M Wokingham ! ! ! 1:5,000,000 Staines Esher 1:500,000 Camberley ! Chertsey ! ! 490000 491000 492000 493000 494000 495000 496000 497000 \\Server21-db\invoice codes a thru h\D_invoice codes\DORETDBA*HRK*1.9.10 codes a thru h\D_invoice \\Server21-db\invoice
180000
179000
178000
177000 Site location
176000
175000
174000
1:50,000
Reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office (c) Crown Copyright. 1996 All rights reserved. License No. AL 100005569 Figure 4.1: Site location
497000 489000 490000 491000 492000 493000 494000 495000 496000
181000
OA 167 180000 OA 135 OA 162 OA 168 OA 120OA 122OA 123OA 124 OA 171 GF ! OA 133 OA 140 OA 137 ! OA 170 GFGF GF ! ! GF OA 163 O OA 136 OA 119 OA 126 GF OA 127 A X X X 1 OA 169 GF OA 150!@ OA 132 3 OA 134 OA 118 3 OA 182 OA 161 OA 165 OA 164 OA 129OA 131!@ OA 220 OA 179 !@!@ ! OA 151 OA 160 GF GF GF OA 130 OA 133 X OA 117 ! OA 153 GF!@ OA 172 OA 116 GF OA 221 OA 155 X OA 188 OA 174 ! OA 156!@ !GF! OA 173 !@ OA 209 OA 189 OA 159 OA 189 OA 185 OA 175 X OA 158 X OA 187 OA 215 OA 190 !!@!@ !OA 183 OA 113 OA 114 OA 111 ! OA 213X OA 210 179000 X OA 110 !@ OA 214 XX OA 186 OA 184 !!@! ! X OA 138OA 139 ! OA 115 GF OA 212 OA 112 X XX OA 142 OA 146 OA 109 X OA 147 ! ! !OA 144 X OA 216 OA 128 OA 108 !! OA 256 GF GF OA 145 XOA 148 OA 149 OA 107 OA 223!X GF OA 255 OA 228 OA 225 OA 106 OA 231 ! GF OA 253 ! OA 227 OA 224 ! ! OA 222 ! GF OA 232 OA 237 178000 OA 180X OA 178 ! OA 236 OA 226 ! X! OA 249 ! OA 229 GF OA 177 GF OA 248 OA 235 GF OA 239 GF ! OA 233 ! GFOA 230 !@ OA 247 GF!OA 238 OA 251 OA 250 X OA 246 GF GF OA 244 OA 245 ! OA 243 ! OA 241 GF OA 240 OA 242 GF ! XOA 105 177000 !OA 104
OA 269 !@ OA 275 OA 274 OA 266 ! OA 267 OA 271 ! OA 262 !@X X OA 278 OA 101 OA 103 OA 258!@ OA 268 OA 273 OA 279 ! ! ! X OA 276 GFGF OA 260 OA 263 XX ! X !@OA 102 OA 257 X OA 100 XXOA 259 X OA 264 OA 280 ! OA 261 OA 265X OA 277 X ! OA 281 GF Archaeological findspot 176000 ! Archaeological site
!@ Cropmark
! Historic site
X Historic structure
Archaeological area
Conservation area
0 2,000 m Millstream (OA 282) 175000 1:25,000 Secure perimeter
Figure 4.3: Identified Cultural Heritage Assets in 1 km Study Area