Measuring at Warren Wood Earthworks in December 2005(photograph courtesy of John Laker)

Warren Wood EarthworksThere is an earthwork at War-

ren Wood, north of Little Marlow,situated at NGR SU8720: 8970.Although on private land, it can beaccessed from the footpath on theright, about 1.5km heading northup Winchbottom Lane. The earth-work can be observed on the leftafter walking about 400 metres.The earthwork is a double en-

closure and probably dates frommedieval times. However, Neo-lithic/Mesolithic artefacts havealso been found, aswell as pottery from thelate Bronze Age, orearly Iron Age (see ad-jacent photograph).Field work and re-

search is continuing atthis site to try to unravelits purpose and origins.A public information

board, provided by AIM,can be found alongsidethe adjacent footpath.

A few ofAiM’s Projectsin the Chilterns

Medmenham & DanesfieldIron Age Hill Forts

At Medmenham there is a large Iron Age hillfort dominating the valley below in which theRiver Thames runs.

Archaeology In Marlow (AIM) surveyed this

hill fort and tried to locate the whereabouts ofthe Norman ‘Bolebec Castle’, said to havebeen built within the hill fort's ramparts.The hill fort is just off the crossroads at Med-

menham, diagonally opposite the Church, on apromontory of land at NGR SU8070:8470. Asteep public footpath allows access to thewestern part of the hill fort.At nearby Danesfield there is another large

Iron Age hill fort overlooking the River Thamesimmediately below. Archaeology In Marlowalso surveyed part of this hill fort and con-ducted research to discover whether there wasa link between it and the Medmenham hill fortonly a kilometre away.This hill fort at NGR SU8180:8440 straddles

the SAS Institute and Danesfield Hotel and Spaestates and permissions are needed to visit it.Public information boards, provided by AIM,..can be found at both locations.

First World War Training Trenchesat Pullingshill Wood

Happy Valley

To the north of Henley Road a public footpath runs through the mid-dle of Happy Valley (NGR SU835:863 to 837:859).Archaeology in Marlow has conducted a series of investigations over

the last 10 years. In 2003, a search was undertaken to find the Romanvineyard rumoured to be there.In 2004, an excavation took place across an ancient trackway. In

2009 more excavations were conducted in search of Iron Age roundhouses, whose location had been suggested by dowsing.

At Pullingshill Wood, adjacent to MarlowCommon, is an important and significantnetwork of training trenches, utilised by,and probably dug by, soldiers during theinitial years of the First World War.Apart from surveying these trenches

(see the plan to the left), Archaeology InMarlow has investigated their construction,design and purpose.Research was also undertaken to iden-

tify Army Regiments which were sent toMarlow and where they were billeted.

Chiltern Woodland Project’svisit to Pullingshill Wood

The trenches are situated at NGR SU8215:8630, to thewest of the minor road running through the Common onland owned by The Woodland Trust and are accessibleto the public. Again, public information boards, provided-by AIM, can be found at this location.

All photographs courtesy of John Laker

North-west Bank of Medmenham Hill fort

Plan ofWorld War1 TrainingTrenches(MarlowCommon)

Printed by PK InPrint Ltd March 2013

AboutAiM and thearchaeology around Marlow

This leaflet was mainly financed through a generousgrant from the Chilterns Conservation Board

Archaeology In Marlow (AIM) is an active local ar-chaeological group, which investigates the history andpre-history of Marlow and its surrounding parishes.

Archaeologyx� Researchx� Excavationx� Geophysical

and field surveysx� Field walkingx� Finds identificationx� Recordingx� Training activities

Activitiesx� Talks and visitsx� Regular newsletter

Projectsx� See inside

AIM was founded in 2003. Since then it has undertaken theROMADAM (Recording Of Marlow And District’s Monu-ments) Project, funded by a generous grant from the Heri-tage Lottery Fund; searched for Roman Roads in the localarea, completed a study of Medieval Burgage Plots in cen-tral Marlow; and conducted research and excavations inLittle Marlow, Happy Valley and at Warren Wood (details ofthe last two venues overleaf).

Archaeology in Marlow encourages its mem-bers to participate by joining in our archaeologicalfield work and research investigations. It runspractical beginners’ training courses for young andold alike. We hold talks on our discoveries andinvite speakers to talk on a wide variety of ar-chaeological subjects. We also arrange visits toarchaeological sites in the vicinity and circulate aregular newsletter keeping members informed ofthe group’s activities.

Affiliated to the Council for British Archaeology

Future Plans

World War 1TrainingTrenches

HappyValley

MedmenhamHill fort

DanesfieldHill fort

WarrenWood

It is planned that in 2013, and beyond, investigations will take place at various venues in andaround Marlow. However, our first priority is to learn more about the archaeology in Warren Wood

and the surrounding area. For up to date information on all our investigations,please visit our website - www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk, or tel. 01628 481141.

Map reproduced by permis-sion of Ordnance Survey onbehalf of HMSO. © Crowncopyright 2005. All rightsreserved. Ordnance SurveyLicence number 100044133

Lectures, visits & other projects