Monument record 0660100000 - Field south east of Creslow

Transmitter site constructed during WW2 and operated up to early 1990s. Main building complex (at NGR) demolished and rebuilt 1991. Only westernmost building of previous complex survived as a 'riggers building. Masts demolished mid 1990s and concrete mast stages now being grubbed out (B1).
After war, thought to be used as an MI6 Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) site, possibly a 'Numbers Station' transmitting encoded shortwave messages to MI6 agents (B2).

A Second World War transmitter station is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Aylesbury Vale Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18604). Located across fields known as Great Ground east of Manor Farm, Creslow with the main site buildings centred at SP 81445 21743, the wartime transmitter station was established in 1944 as a secret communications site for the Secret Intelligence Service. On aerial photographs taken in 1947 the main site was accessed by a 220 metres long access road from the farm. Surrounded by a fence, at least fourteen rectangular buildings of various sizes are located to the N and S of the access road, with a larger D-shaped building similar to that recorded at the Gawcott Signal Hill installation (MBC24738/0942000000) to the E of the site. All the military buildings were extant in 1948, but two buildings have been demolished by 1954. By 1961 most of the remaining buildings have been demolished, except the D-shaped building and three rectangular buildings. It would also seem that two new Cold War era buildings have been built between 1954 and 1961. The site was completely overhauled and modernised in 1989-90 with many of the post-war buildings being demolished and a new state-of-the-art radio transmission facility replacing them. By 2003, all the original wartime and early Cold War buildings have been demolished and a new facility constructed on part of the site. Only part of the access road remains from the original site. Extending across Great Ground to the E,N and S of the buildings are at least 191 tall transmitter masts, set out in no apparent pattern. The height of these structures is unclear but from the shadows cast by the masts, they appear to be of varying heights. They remain visible on aerial photographs between 1947 and 1961. The next images available to the project are dated 2003, by which time all the mast structures have been demolished. On aerial photographs taken in 2022, no evidence of the original buildings or masts can be seen (3-16).