Wolverton Velodrome Wolverton Milton Keynes

Between February 2006 and January 2007 Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an archaeological investigation at Wolverton Rail Bridge and Wolverton Velodrome, Wolverton, Milton Keynes (NGR SP 8194 4150) on behalf of White Young Green Environmental. The investigation comprised
an evaluation of the site of the Radcliffe Arms, a 19th-century Public House serving the railway; a watching brief during the excavation of service trenches within the Velodrome; the recording of the Velodrome and a photographic survey of the Royal Train Shed retaining wall; a strip map and sample exercise ahead of the construction of a new access ramp, and ground works on the Rail Bridge, which dates from the early 19th century.
The evaluation failed to reveal any remnants of the Radcliffe Arms, though
a well possibly associated with the public house was revealed during the watching brief. The evaluation and watching brief demonstrated that the area had been reduced and completely cleared in the 18th or 19th century,
prior to the construction of the football pitch and associated Velodrome. Field drains associated with the football pitch were revealed. The strip map and sample exercise did not reveal any archaeological
features on the site of the Velodrome. The work in the vicinity of the Rail Bridge exposed brick walls and cast-iron beams associated with the earliest phase of the bridge, and identified the parts of the structure that were extended in 1889. A brick chamber, which originally lay below a pumping station, was also revealed as well as postholes and a brick channel possibly associated with a lifting shed.
A photographic study of parts of the Royal Train Shed and Velodrome and sports ground was made. The sports ground dates from 1885 and includes an early example of a football grandstand. The Royal Train Shed was built in 1889 on the site of an earlier lifting shop.