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The Library Modern Records Centre

Early history of the University of Warwick campus site

The University of Warwick's institutional archives include sources relating to the pre-1965 history of the land now occupied by the university campus sites on the south side of Coventry. Many of the sources are included in a collection connected to Dr Stephen Hill, an archaeologist who worked for the University's Department of Continuing Education, and who, along with his students, investigated many sites of historical interest in and around campus. This guide also identifies some photographs of the local area which were deposited with the University Archive by individuals.

Follow the links below to see descriptions of the items in the MRC's online catalogue, including the archive reference codes that you will need to order the sources.

Exploring the archaeological record

The papers of Dr Stephen HillLink opens in a new window

The papers of Dr Stephen Hill, University Archaeologist, are a good starting point to explore the archaeological history of the University of Warwick campus. General sources on campus archaeology are outlined below - click on the links for additional information, including the document references that will enable you to order up the documents to look at in the Modern Records Centre.

Map of archaeological finds, 1988Link opens in a new window

Location of sites and finds of historical and archaeological interest.

'Archaeology and the University of Warwick Campus - Briefing Document for the Building Committee', 1995Link opens in a new window

Report by Dr Stephen Hill.

'Archaeological Evaluation' by Stephen Hill and Dan Smith, 1996-1997Link opens in a new window

Report from Archaeological Field Unit, Department of Continuing Education, University of Warwick.

Videos, photographs and slides illustrating archaeological projects on campus, 1968-1998Link opens in a new window

The files also contain paperwork on courses run as part of the Open Studies Certificate in Archaeology.

'The archaeology of the campus from prehistory to the medieval period', 1999Link opens in a new window

A very concise summary of the archaeology of the campus from pre-history to the medieval period written by Stephen Hill and published in the University of Warwick Staff Newsletter.

'Chasing Shadows: An Assessment of Aerial Photographic Anomalies and their Archaeological Significance', (2004)Link opens in a new window

Dissertation by Sandra Barnes, with accompanying maps and aerial photographs.

'Explore campus - An ecological, geological and archaeology tour of the University of Warwick campus', undatedLink opens in a new window

University of Warwick booklet.

Other University of Warwick sources

In 2005 the University of Warwick designed an archaeological campus tour which highlights twelve sites of particular archaeological interest. An online version of the tour is available elsewhere on the university websiteLink opens in a new window.

General histories of the university site

A Spaceship Landing in Green Fields. 25 Years? 25 Centuries!

In 1990 the University of Warwick marked its 25th anniversary with an exhibition in Scarman House which detailed the history and archaeology of the university site (entitled 'A Spaceship Landing in Green Fields. 25 Years? 25 Centuries!'). The Modern Records Centre holds the original exhibition boards, which consist mainly of illustrations and photographs. Documents relating to publicity and preparations for the exhibition are included in the archives of Dr Stephen Hill:

Notes/information for an Exhibition: "A Spaceship Landing in Green Fields", 1990Link opens in a new window

Preparatory notes.

Administrative files from the Centre for Lifelong Learning, 1960-1990Link opens in a new window

3 subject files, including material relating to the 25th anniversary exhibition.

Publicity leaflet, c.1990Link opens in a new window

Illustrated leaflet containing brief information.

"A Spaceship Landing in Green Fields" - 25 Years? - 25 Centuries! The Archaeology and History of the Campus of the University of Warwick', c.1990Link opens in a new window

Booklet edited by Stephen Hill, based on the exhibition of the same title.

Areas of campus and university buildings

General

Photocopies of location plans, undatedLink opens in a new window

The locations of local farms are recorded on several photocopies of individual maps kept in the Modern Records Centre. These show the locations of Tile Hill Farm, Canley Farm, Tocil House Farm, Gibbet Hill Farm, Cryfield Grange Farm, Cryfield Farm and Wainbody Wood Farm. Kept alongside these are an acetate map of Cryfield Farmhouse and another map of the same farm showing archaeological points of interest.

Coventry: Monasteries / Pilgrims, undatedLink opens in a new window

Intriguing reference to Coventry's monasteries and pilgrims in the papers of Dr Stephen Hill.

Bockenden Grange Farm

'Resistivity Survey: Bockenden Grange Farm', 1994Link opens in a new window

Survey by Robert Lang.

Cryfield Farmhouse

Cryfield farmhouse (now the Vice Chancellor's Lodge) dates from the 1820s and is built of red brick, presumably supplied by the brickyard to the north. Its substantial sandstone footings may, however, date from an earlier phase of occupation - possibly the 17th or 18th century farm buildings, but possibly the mooted monastic site (information from Warwickshire Museum TimetrailLink opens in a new window, adapted from 1996 University of Warwick archaeological evaluation report).

Sources for the history of Cryfield Farmhouse, 1995-2007(?)

File of sources, including:

    • 'Cryfield Farmhouse: A Brief History', c.2009, booklet researched and written by W.H. Rupp and published by the Communications Office (a pdf version can also be read in full elsewhere on the university websiteLink opens in a new window  )
    • Map of Cryfield with archaeological notes, undated
    • Plan of Cryfield Farmhouse area with archaeological notes, 1996
    • Aerial photograph, 1996
    • 'The Archaeology and History of Cryfield': dissertation, including a separate appendix, by M.J. Spendlove, 1999

Maps showing the interesting features and layout of the Cryfield Farmhouse site, undatedLink opens in a new window

This file also includes plans from 1988 of the fishponds, dams and mill complex near Cryfield Grange.

Photographs and slides relating to the excavation of the Cryfield Farmhouse siteLink opens in a new window

Included in the papers of Dr Stephen Hill.

Cryfield Grange

Cryfield Grange was almost entirely rebuilt in the early 19th century, on its original foundations. Background information about the building is included in Warwickshire Museum's TimetrailLink opens in a new window.

'The Heritage and Improvements of the Archaeological and Ecological Features within Cryfield Grange', 1997Link opens in a new window

Dissertation by Chris Sumner.

'Cryfield Grange: The History of a Listed Warwickshire Farmhouse from its Medieval Origins to the Mid-Twentieth Century', 2017Link opens in a new window

40 page booklet by Alexander Russell and Ingrid A.R. De Smet, published by the Centre for the Study of the Renaissance. A printed copy of the booklet is available at the Modern Records Centre.

Photographs and slides relating to the excavation of the Cryfield Grange siteLink opens in a new window

Included in the papers of Dr Stephen Hill.

Cryfield House Farm

Cryfield House Farm was created from part of the Cryfield Grange land, acquired by the Leigh family in 1639. It was formed sometime between 1676 and 1680, and in 1736 it was known as New Cryfield to Cryfield Grange's Old Cryfield (information from Warwickshire Museum TimetrailLink opens in a new window, adapted from 1996 University of Warwick archaeological evaluation report).

Archaeological evaluation, 1996Link opens in a new window

Report compiled by Stephen Hill and Dan Smith, Department of Continuing Education.

Harvest time at Cryfield House Farm, 1968-1969Link opens in a new window

Video recording of film on Cryfield House Farm made by J.B. Rice in 1968 and 1969. The film documents harvest time at the farm in the period before the land was taken over by the University of Warwick. This film was transferred onto DVD in 2017.

Home Farm, Kimberley Road, Bagington, 1982Link opens in a new window

The University of Warwick Staff Newsletter (26th November 1982) contains a piece about excavations at Home Farm.

Tocil Farm

Papers relating to David and Reginald ClaytonLink opens in a new window

The brothers David and Reginald Clayton were farmers at Tocil Farm before the University was built. This collection includes photographs of the farm taken during their lifetime, information about 'The Clayton History', and correspondence and images relating to when they deposited this material.

Voices of the University: David and Reg Clayton, 2015Link opens in a new window

Oral history interview with David and Reginald Clayton recorded as part of the 2015 'Voices of the University' project to mark the 50th anniversary of the University of Warwick. The interview includes information about the family and the brothers' work on the farm, an overview of the farmers around the area, local crops, the beginning and building of the university, Gibbet Hill farms and gibbets, the archaeology of the site, the haunted tree, and a fire at Tocil Farm.

Folders on archaeological excavations around campus: Tocil FarmLink opens in a new window

File included in the archives of Dr Stephen Hill.

Tocil Wood

Plan of earthworks in Tocil Wood, 1982Link opens in a new window

M. & H. Rees.

'Section of Tocil Wood and Pollen Samples', 1985Link opens in a new window

Included in the papers of Dr Stephen Hill.

Slides relating to excavations in Tocil Wood, 1985 & 1990Link opens in a new window

Included in the papers of Dr Stephen Hill.

'Aspects of the Archaeology and Ecology at Tocil Wood [North]', 1997Link opens in a new window

Dissertation by Survinder Singh Chatha.

'Tocil Wood: Dating the earthwork and wood, and possible effects of tree management', 1997Link opens in a new window

Environmental Studies dissertation by Craig Williams.

Photocopied sheets relating to Tocil Wood, undatedLink opens in a new window

Including the position of twelve dated oak trees, details on its earthworks and a copy of an 18th century map of the wood.

Westwood

Archaeological maps of excavations at Westwood, 2002Link opens in a new window

Produced on tracing paper.

Excavations at Westwood, 2002-2006Link opens in a new window

Includes documents relating to Westwood dig and rescue excavation in 2002, protected extent of Iron Age site, and excavation of tennis courts in 2006.

'Archaeologists unearth Iron Age ‘Housing Estate', 2003Link opens in a new window

Edition of 'Warwick the Magazine' (for alumni), including an article by Dr Stephen Hill on the findings of the rescue dig at Westwood.

Campus excavation, 2005Link opens in a new window

The 2005 excavation was carried out by the Classics Department, who were investigating an Iron Age site at Westwood Campus Sports Area. The documents include a CD-Rom about the dig. This file also includes aerial photographs and copies of maps of university land collected for a dissertation by Sandra Barnes.

Photographs of campus land

Campus countryside

Farmland and surrounding area prior to the building of the universityLink opens in a new window

Small number of black and white photographs taken of the countryside prior to the construction of the University of Warwick.

Farmland and buildings prior to the arrival of the university, 1950s-1960sLink opens in a new window

Colour and black and white photographs, and two reels of Super 8 silent colour film.

Aerial views

Aerial photographs of area prior to the university being builtLink opens in a new window

Five photographs taken by Yeldham Unwin of Coventry

Find out more about the University of Warwick Archive

How to search for material in the University Archive

The catalogue of the University of Warwick’s institutional archives is available to search and browse onlineLink opens in a new window. Search for keywords using the search box to the left of the catalogue entry or scroll down to the foot of the page to browse the contents. More guidance on using the Modern Records Centre's catalogue is available elsewhere on our websiteLink opens in a new window.

Archive Tip

Once you have found archive items you wish to look at make a note of the document reference number and send it to us in advance so that we can get items out ahead of your visit. It is better to request Item level or Piece level entries on the catalogue rather than Sections, Series or SubSeries (item level entries relate to single folders or individual documents).