Investigation may uncover Civil War defences under Oxford Street

Redevelopment of buildings on the northwest corner of Oxford Street and Rathbone Place will give archaeologists an opportunity to search for evidence of the location of London’s Civil War defences.

Planning permission was given in 2019 for the demolition and redevelopment behind retained facades of 54-62 Oxford Street and 51-58 Rathbone Place (known as Holden House or Evelyn House); and for the complete demolition of 66 and 68 Oxford Street.

As part of the planning consent, an archaeological investigation of the site by the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) is to take place.

“The chief archaeological interest for the site rests with its potential to contain remains of London’s Civil War defences, which are known to cross Oxford Street in the vicinity of the site,” states a report detailing a scheme of investigation published in January.

During the Civil War of 1642 to 1648, forces for the Parliamentarians built between 1642 and 1643 a 17km-long circuit of ditches and earth banks protected by forts in the fields surrounding London.

The exact location of much of the line of the defences is uncertain. However, based on previous evidence from excavations at a construction site at the British Museum “the line of the defences could run just to the north of, or through, the site”, states the report by Mola.

An investigation in 2016 at a neighbouring site in Rathbone Place found possible evidence of Civil War defences.

Westminster Council: 25/00525/ADFULL. Details of written scheme of investigation pursuant to conditions 20, 25 of planning permission 15 Janaury 2019 (RN 17/05283/FULL).

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