Templars’ Retail Park Between Towns Road Oxford

Between the 6th and 8th of November 2012, Oxford Archaeology carried out an
archaeological evaluation and building survey at Unit 1 Templars' Retail Park,
Oxford.
Two trenches were located within a former garden centre area and one trench was
located within a service area. The remains of buildings associated with the Oxford
Steam Ploughing Company, probably constructed after the factory was acquired by
John Allen and Sons Ltd in 1897, were found in the former garden centre. Modern
made ground deposits to a depth of more than 1m below the current ground surface
were recorded in the service yard. No archaeological features pre-dating the late
19th century were present.
A gable, which formed part of the factory buildings and which had been re-located to
its current location following the closure of the factory, was recorded. A rag stone
boundary wall was partially recorded. The wall probably dates to the foundation of
the Oxford Steam Ploughing Company in the late 19th century but an earlier date
cannot be ruled out.