Monument record MDO1684 - Strip lynchets, Melcombe Horsey (Cultivation remains)

Groups of strip lynchets, part of the former open-field system around Melcombe Horsey (ST 70 SW 38), are mainly of contour type and mostly in fragmentary condition.

ST 748030; ST 742030; ST 744021.

Groups of strip lynchets, part of the former open-field system around Melcombe Horsey (ST 70 SW 38), are mainly of contour type and mostly in fragmentary condition. On the SE side of the Dorsetshire Gap at ST 745030 a series of strip lynchets run obliquely across the contours with treads up to 35 yds wide. Air photographs show traces of the extensions of these strips to the SE, and also traces of many other strip fields to the SW of Melcombe Horsey deserted village. <2-3>
ST 748030; ST 742030; ST 744021.

These lynchets remain as described by RCHM <2> they vary in height from low ploughed out scarps 0.4m high to strong lynchets 1.2m high. The best preserved lynchets, are those extending over about 2 ha, in area centred ST 74540305. Visible on OS air photographs <4.1>. <4>

<1> Atkinson, R J C, 1949, spec 6 inch (RJCA 1.3.49) (Map). SWX1583.

(Centred ST 746028) Strip Lynchets.

<2> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 172 (Monograph). SDO136.

'(10) CULTIVATION REMAINS. The date of enclosure of the two open-field systems in the parish is unknown. Groups of strip lynchets of the open fields of Melcombe Horsey lie around the former village on the lower slopes of the surrounding ring of Chalk hills (748030–742030–744021–753016). With one exception all the groups are of contour type, arranged in end-on furlong blocks up to 300 yds. long; most of the strip lynchets are in a fragmentary condition. On the S.E. side of the Dorsetshire Gap (745030) a series of strip lynchets runs obliquely across the contours, with treads up to 35 yds. wide. Air photographs (R.A.F. CPE/UK 1934: 3103–5 and 3179–81) show traces of the extensions of these strips to the S.E., and also traces of many other strip fields to the S.W. of (8). See also Hilton (29), (c), p. 113.
Strip lynchets of the open fields of Bingham's Melcombe are found on the N. and the N.E. slopes of Henning Hill. To the E. of Hill Barn (767017) are six contour strip lynchets, up to 200 yds. long; to the N.W. of Hill Barn (761019) are other fragmentary contour strip lynchets. Some 600 yds. N.W. of Bingham's Melcombe House there were formerly about 30 acres of strip fields but they have now been destroyed (R.A.F. CPE/UK 1934: 3106–8).'

<3> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 3179-81 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17530.

<3.1> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 3103-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17531.

<4> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F1 GB 21-NOV-78 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<4.1> Ordnance Survey, OS 74/058/185-86 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17532.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 201979 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 20 2022 12:22PM