SSP Trench Cliveden Buckinghamshire

Oxford Archaeology (OA) were commissioned by the National Trust to undertake a small
archaeological watching brief investigation at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire. These
works were to monitor the digging of a cable trench (called the SSP Trench) in the
grounds to the north-east of the house. The trench extended through the eastern part of
the overflow car park as well as alongside the Grand Avenue to the north of the house.
The current investigation has uncovered evidence of various 20th-century alterations and
it is likely that they relate more to the Second World War phase than the First World War.
The evidence includes modern make-up layers beneath the main exit road and also in the
section of trench immediately to the south of it. The section of trench immediately to the
north of the road also contained a large quantity of ballast which was probably laid down
during the Second World War phase to level the ground but in the sections further to the
north the trench had less modern material.