Medieval and later urban development at High Street, Uxbridge: excavations at the Chimes Shopping Centre, London Borough of Hillingdon

Abstract

• Excavations in the High Street uncovered evidence of development on the south-eastern edge of the medieval town of Uxbridge, beginning with the planned 12th-century extension of a Saxon hamlet. Medieval property boundaries and a 12th-century pottery kiln associated with production of South Hertfordshire greyware were recorded just inside the borough ditch boundary. Famine and plague resulted in economic decline in the 14th century. Domestic pitting and industries such as tanning were associated with recovery from the 17th century onwards. By the early 19th century the entire street frontage was built up, as shown in the Uxbridge Panorama, a detailed drawing of the High Street.