Data from a Building Survey at Highway Farm S2, Hillingdon, 2019-2020 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., Costain Skanska Joint Venture, Archaeology Wales, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1106978. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © High Speed Two Ltd. unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
2 Snowhill
Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4454
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1106978
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images from a setting recording at Highway Farm, Harefield, in the London Borough of Hillingdon in October 2019. The recording work was undertaken by Costain Skanska, and later archived and deposited by Archaeology Wales.
Project Summary
The recording forms part of Phase One of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, which was granted Royal Assent in 2017 as the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act. Phase One runs 230 km from Euston Station in London to Curzon Street in Birmingham.
Highway Farm comprises a grade II listed two-storey farmhouse of probable early 17th century origin, a grade II listed late 16th century barn and shelter and grade II listed forecourt walls to the south of the farmhouse, alongside a number of modern non-designated structures.
The study area was designed to include land that might be considered to comprise the setting of the farmstead, and which has the potential through historical, functional or associative relationships, to contribute to an appreciation or understanding of the heritage values, and thereby the significance of, Highway Farm.
Re-Use Value Statement
The extent of the changes to the landscape resulting from the establishment of the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre has hindered an ability to read the landscape and understand the historic setting of Highway Farm as-built, and as existing during the post medieval period and 20th century.
The former agricultural landscape is now dotted with tall modern metal fencing, earthwork bunds, and exercise equipment, all designed to facilitate dog exercise and rehabilitation. The survey area is now bounded by a network of busy roads. The high shrub and tree-lined boundaries to the surrounding roads, and the use of the wider landscape for small-scale industry, recycling centres and scrapyards have also had an impact, visually and in terms of noise, on what was once a rural, agricultural landscape.
This study has therefore not revealed any key elements in regard to historic integrity that would inform future landscape designs following the construction, and during the operation, of HS2.
The survey has provided a permanent record of the setting of Highway Farm and its environs prior the main works stage of the HS2 scheme. The study has also contributed to an improved understanding of the baseline, identifying key phases in the development and occupation of Highway Farm.
