REPOSITORy wOODS, wOOlwICH, gREATER ... - English Heritage

SUMMARYBetween January and April 2008 English Heritage’s Archaeological Survey and Investigationteam undertook a detailed archaeological survey of Repository Woods and the practicefortification that forms its eastern boundary, both of which were formerly part of the RoyalMilitary Repository, Woolwich. The work was undertaken as part of the research for theSurvey of London’s forthcoming volume on Woolwich parish and complements detailedarchitectural and historical research undertaken by English Heritage on the WoolwichRotunda, which was moved from Carlton House to its present location, close to theeastern boundary of the Repository, in 1818.The research has revealed the unique role that the Royal Military Repository played intraining soldiers in the mounting and movement of heavy artillery at the start of the19 th century and has shown that the surviving landscape of tracks and ponds, later toprovide a picturesque setting for the Rotunda, was a military creation with both practicaland recreational uses. Concurrent with the re-erection of the Rotunda, a linear practicefortification was constructed along the eastern boundary of the site which, though it clearlyhad a primary practical function, served to enhance the setting of the building. The surveyrecorded the earthwork remains of training batteries and fortifications dating from thestart of the 19 th century onwards as well as slit trenches and evidence of other activitiesfrom the 20 th century, highlighting the area’s continued use as a training facility. RepositoryWoods and the Napier Line compound are the property of the Ministry of Defence andthere is no public access.CONTRIBUTORSSarah Newsome (English Heritage Archaeological Survey and Investigation – Cambridge),Jonathan Millward (EPPIC student) and Wayne Cocroft (English Heritage ArchaeologicalSurvey and Investigation - Cambridge) undertook the fieldwork. Sarah Newsome wrotethe report. Derek Kendall took photographs and Deborah Cunliffe completed the surveydrawing.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSEnglish Heritage would like to thank the Royal Artillery, particularly Major Mike Gleeson, forgiving access to the restricted areas of the Napier Line compound and Repository Woods.Thanks also go to John Barter and the Dell Angling Society who were so welcoming andprovided useful information. The authors would also like to thank Peter Guillery and SusanSkedd for sharing their background research, Andrew Williams for his useful contributionsand Paul Evans at Firepower for all his kind help.ARCHIVE LOCATIONThe project archive is located at the National Monuments Record, SwindonDATE OF SURVEYThe survey was undertaken between January and April 2008.CONTACT DETAILSEnglish Heritage, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 8BUSarah Newsome Tel: 01223 582771. Email: sarah.newsome@english-heritage.org.uk© ENGLISH HERITAGE 14 - 2009