Monument record MDO1242 - Deserted medieval village, Holnest

Earthworks on both sides of the modern north-south road are thought to be a deserted medieval settlement. Badly disturbed earthworks associated with the medieval settlement are visible on aerial photographs, satellite and lidar imagery, although no clear form to these can be determined.

Holnest. A tithing, chapelry, manor and hamlet which formerly belonged to the Bishopric of Sarum but passed to the family of Fitzjames of Leweston. In 1738 the manor, including the common, consisted of 73 tenements. By 1861 there were only 29 houses. <1>

Centred at ST 65600999. Very low scarps, banks, small platforms and enclosures are visible on both sides of the modern north-south road. The area is under grass, and drainage attempts have defaced the earthworks so that they are not sufficiently defined to give the village shape or form. Traces of depopulation are mostly visible to the north of the church which was enlarged in the 15th century, suggesting a larger population. It is clear that the depopulation took place in the late 18th and 19th centuries. <2>

An area of badly distrubed earthworks either side of the modern road and north of the church are visible on lidar imagery, overlain by later drainage ditches. Google Earth imagery of 2021 also shows low earthworks under drainage to the north of the church. Linear banks running broadly parallel to the road line to the east of Dubbin's Farm and south of the church are also visible on aerial photographs, satellite and lidar imagery, perhaps indicating a back line of housing plots along the roadside. Overall, the form of the medieval village is hard to determine from aerial sources alone (EA 2022; GE 2021; RAF 1947).

Google Earth, 19-JUL-2021, Google Earth imagery 2021 (Aerial Photograph). SDO22009.

Environment Agency, 2022, LiDAR Composite Viewer - Digital Terrain Model 1m (Aerial Photograph). SDO21777.

Royal Air Force, xx-xxx-1947, RAF VAP 1974-1195 (Aerial Photograph). SDO22008.

<1> John Hutchins, edited by Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W, 1873, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 4, 127-8 (Monograph). SDO10245.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator's Comments NVQ, 23-SEP-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2.1> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 1195-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17408.

<3> Beresford, M, and Hurst, J G, 1971, Deserted Medieval Villages (Monograph). SWX1568.

Holnest, ST 656098, deserted Medieval village.

<4> Phillips, A S, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator's Comments ASP, F2 ASP 27-OCT-77 (Unpublished document). SWX3817.

No change to field report of 23/9/55.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1994, Medieval Village Research Group Index, PRN 508 (Index). SDO16386.

<6> Historic England, National Record of the Historic Environment, 198750 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 21 2026 11:21AM