Archaeologists from MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) conducted an exploration of the former St John’s Wood Barracks site in advance of its redevelopment. In partnership with the City of Westminster and Historic England, a comprehensive archaeological program was implemented, encompassing historical research, detailed documentation of historic buildings, and targeted excavations.

Before any construction or archaeological excavation could begin on site, archaeologists first needed to assess the historical background and evaluate the potential for the preservation of archaeological remains.

Research indicates that the area was predominantly woodland until the Roman period (circa AD 47). By the medieval era, the forest had been cleared for farmland, a usage that continued until the early 19th century. In 1812, the site was developed into barracks for the Corps of Gunner Drivers.

The Corps was replaced by the Cavalry Riding Establishment in 1823 and in 1824 a Riding School was constructed on the site. The Cavalry vacated the premises in 1832, and the Recruit Depot for the Foot Guards moved in, leading to the construction of a barracks to the south of the Riding School.

The property was continuously occupied as a barracks until 2012, when the King’s Troop relocated to Woolwich to larger, state-of-the-art facilities at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

The King’s Troop staged its final parade down St John’s Wood High Street in 2012, marking the end of an era for the historic regiment’s presence in the area. The farewell procession was a poignant moment that celebrated the rich military history of St John’s Wood and paid tribute to the Troop’s presence at the barracks, it attracted large crowds and featured the Troop’s iconic horses and gun carriages.

Throughout its 200 years of service, the barracks housed various units, including the Infantry Battalion, the Life Guards, the Brigade of Royal Horse Artillery, and, most recently, the King’s Troop.

These residents modified the buildings to meet their needs, and historical maps show how the structures were reconfigured over time. By the mid-19th century, an open area designated as a parade ground was established south of the Riding School. In 1921, ancillary buildings, including the Officers’ Mess, were constructed to the south and east of the site. The final round of improvements took place from 1969 to 1972, during which nearly all existing buildings were demolished and replaced with modern barracks and stable blocks.

Historical research also explored Queen’s Terrace, a residential block constructed in 1862 that housed the Knights of St. John public house, operational until 1993. The public house, located at the southern end of Queen’s Terrace, served as a notable landmark in the area.

Surveys and documentation of the site’s historic structures have also been conducted. St John’s Wood Square spans 22,000 m² and comprised of 20 buildings that evolved over 200 years of use at the former St John’s Wood Barracks. Among the most significant recorded structures is the Grade II listed Riding School, built in 1824. This neoclassical building is the only remaining structure from the original barracks.

Another notable structure was the Officers’ Mess, built in 1921 in the neo-Georgian style. This building was added to the barracks following the cavalry’s return to St John’s Wood. Both the Riding School and the Officers’ Mess survived the extensive remodelling of the barracks in the early 1970s, led by London-born architect Elie Mayorcas, which included the construction of replacement cavalry buildings, stables, and accommodation blocks.

The site also includes a row of terraced houses on Queen’s Terrace, situated to the north-west of the Riding School. These homes date back to the mid-19th century and include the Knights of St John public house, which served the local community until the early 1990s.

To investigate the buildings that once stood on the site, now known only from historical maps, a series of trenches were excavated. A large trench was opened across the parade ground to ascertain whether any remains predating the barracks existed, which had not been documented in historical maps or records.

Although no earlier archaeological remains were uncovered, the excavation revealed that the area had been levelled during the remodelling of the barracks in the early 1970s. Medieval agricultural soil had been removed, and a layer of modern construction debris was found directly above the natural London clay.

Within the Riding School, a secondary excavation area was established to determine if the building had ever been subdivided or if earlier floor surfaces were preserved beneath the modern soft tarmac. Instead of a single large trench, three smaller trenches were excavated across the width of the Riding School to avoid compromising the integrity of the Grade II listed structure.

During the excavation, fragments of moulded building stone and stamped bricks were discovered in a layer of modern material, likely remnants from various phases of demolition and redevelopment over the 200-year history of the barracks. Unfortunately, no evidence of earlier floors or internal structures was identified.