WHITELEAF WOODS

Location/Address

None recorded

Type

Other site, structure or landscape

Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.

Description

World War I practice trenches recorded in topographic and geophysical surveys. Plan Form - Linear. 3 groups of zig-zag trenches & linear mounds of upcast mainly north-south, surviving as shallow ditches & low banks. Best preserved in the central section where the trenches are 0.8m deep and 1.2m wide. 1990 gales uprooted trees & obscured features. Dug in winter 1914 by troops of the 21st division based at Halton as practice trenches. Topographic survey in 1991 published in Records of Buckinghamshire. Topographical survey in 1998. Condition survey in 2000. Assessed by LHL panel and scored as follows Rarity - high Group Value (Clustering) - N/A Group Value (Association) - N/A Archaeological Interest (Survival) - high Archaeological Interest (Documentation) – medium Archaeological Interest (Potential) - medium Archaeological Interest (Diversity) – low Historic Interest - high Landmark Status – high

Map

Statement of Significance

Asset type

World War I practice trenches recorded in topographic and geophysical surveys.

Age

Dug in the winter of 1914 by Troops of the 21st Halton Division

Rarity

Nationally high rarity although others known within Buckinghamshire.

Historic Interest

Good historic documentation regarding construction and use

Archaeological Interest

Survival Three groups of zig-zag trenches and linear mounds of upcast surviving as shallow ditches and low banks. Best preserved at SP 82257 03763 where trenches are 0.8m deep. The 1987 gales uprooted a number of trees and obscured features. Documentation Topographical survey undertaken in 1998 and condition survey undertaken in 2000. Good lidar coverage. Potential It is uncertain whether further fieldwork would reveal more about the construction or use of these earthworks. Diversity Single phase, single feature type.

Landmark Status

Well used public footpath passes close to the earthworks

Images and Documents

Photo
Whiteleaf.jpg

© Buckinghamshire Council

Document
CAS%2005605%20WHITELEAF%20HILL%20SURVEY%201991%20WW1%20PRACTICE%20TRENCHES.pdf

Earthwork survey by Julia Wise in 1991 of the World War I practice trenches on Whiteleaf Hill

Date Listed

n/a

Last Updated

16 Aug 2023