Monument record MDO1707 - Prehistoric field system, Melcombe Horsey

(ST 750008 - ST 767018) 'Celtic' fields are traceable from north north west of Cheselbourne Manor to Henning Hill. Some destruction by strip ploughing is apparent north west of Cheselbourne Manor and on the slopes of Henning Hill, especially on its north east side. An original pattern recognisable over some twenty acres north west of Cheselbourne Manor includes a field 170 yards long by 20.-30 yards wide. Lynchets here are 3-9 feet high. <2-5>

(Area ST 760013) This former Celtic field system falls within an area now subjected to intensive modern agriculture.

Ground evidence can only be traced intermittently as ploughed down field banks and scarps. A typical Celtic field pattern is not readily recognizable on OS air photographs. <6.1-6.3>. <6>

Ordnance Survey, OS 74/058/196-97, 196 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17619.

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

(Centred ST 760013) Field System

<2> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 332 (Monograph). SDO136.

'GROUP (46): MANOR FARM AND HENNING HILL (Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey). 'Celtic' fields are traceable from N.N.W. of Manor Farm, Cheselbourne, to Henning Hill, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey, between ST 750008 and 767018, over about 100 acres of Chalk downland. They lie between about 400 ft. and 650 ft. O.D., mostly on the steeper hill-slopes, but in one place, ¼ mile N. of Manor Farm, crossing the valley bottom. They formerly continued in all directions. Some destruction by strip ploughing is apparent N.W. of Manor Farm and on the slopes of Henning Hill, especially on its N.E. side (cf. Melcombe Horsey (10)).
An original pattern recognisable over some 20 acres N.W. of Manor Farm includes long fields but only one is complete, 170 yds. long by 20 yds. to 30 yds. wide. Slopes here are from 5° to 16°, lynchets 3 ft. to 9 ft. high.
On the N. tip of Henning Hill, at 75950197, is a pentagonal enclosure, probably an altered 'Celtic' field about ⅓ acre in area, delimited by a massive lynchet on the N., a low bank 12 ft. wide on the E. and traces of bank or lynchet elsewhere. Poor remains of 'Celtic' fields lie around it.
Air photographs: CPE/UK 1934: 1151–2.'

<3> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 1151-52 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17636.

<4> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-47, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 4361-2 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17638.

<5> National Monuments Record, NMR Monument Record, NMR ST 7500/2-3 (Index). SDO9937.

<6> Stone, J W, Field Investigators Comments JWS, F1 JWS 13-DEC-78 (Unpublished document). SDO11902.

<6.1> Ordnance Survey, OS 74/058/194 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17640.

<6.2> Ordnance Survey, OS 74/058/195 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17635.

<7> Historic England, Historic England Archive, RCH01/096 (Index). SDO14738.

RCHME Inventory. Dorset III (Central): A large collection of archive relating to the RCHME Dorset Inventory Volume III, published in 1970. It contains field surveys and excavation archive. Parish files containing original surveys have been given child collection status.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 201842 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 14 2022 2:51PM