Monument record 0420808012 - Quarries, N and S of Oxford Gate, Deer Park, Stowe Landscape Gardens

The English Heritage survey of Stowe undertaken in 2001 notes a large area of quarrying N and S of the Oxford Lodges. To the north of the gates, there is a steep scarp, 140m long x 3m deep, with pits at its base. Spoil lies on the eastern side. The area is not depicted as a quarry on the 1843 estate map, but the area of the shape of the quarry is shown as planted with trees. To the north, centred at SP66603700 there is another scarp, 100m long x 2m deep with spoil at its northern edge. To the south of the gates, centred at SP66653665, there is a deep quarry pit some 30m long x 14m wide x 2.5m deep. A linear trench lies to the south, 45m long x 10m wide x 2m deep. Spoil lies between these two features and has been deliberatly heaped into circular or oval mounds some with trees planted on top. Scarps also define a track with a large oak tree at one end. The pit is marked on the 1843 estate map, and was possibly in use at the beginning of the 18th century, but disused after the Oxford Gates and the Oxford Avenue design was finalised. (1)