Monument record MDO1817 - Upton, medieval strip lynchets

(Area centred at SY 74158253). Scattered field banks and pronounced lynchets of Medieval type, under grass. <1>

(Area SY 743823). Medieval strip lynchet system partly shown on plan (see SY78SW12), but not mentioned in text. <2>

Strip lynchets centred at SY 74258235, covering an area of 1.0 ha approximatley, are as described by Authority 1. They are particularly pronounced on the east-facing slopes of the wood north of Spring Bottom, where the terrace heights are up to 2.0m. Area outlined on 1:10 560. Record Sheet. <4>

Medieval strip lynchets visible as earthworks on aerial photographs to the south of Upton <5>. The features were digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

<1> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 17-DEC-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<1.1> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1824 4317-8 (Aerial Photograph). SWX2473.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 1, 183 (Monograph). SDO148.

'(28) STRIP LYNCHETS and BROAD RIDGE-AND-FURROW (see Fig. p. 187). Remains of strip lynchets cover about 130 acres; some 80 acres appear to be associated with Osmington village (extending up to 4/5 mile away), and 50 acres with Ringstead.

The strips lie on chalk, clay, limestone and sandy subsoils. Most follow the contours but some around 721832 and 733820 run against them, though not directly up-and-down. All except two at about 748821 end in ramps or by running out on to an unploughed area. Breaks probably corresponding with furlong ends are detectable in most groups (as in Winterbourne Steepleton 12). Around 74748220 the natural slope is so steep that it suggests some preparation of the ground was necessary before first ploughing. (The almost flat treads in the area are notable.)

The main groups are at about 721832, 728834 to 732834, 732838, N.W. and N.E. of Osmington; 731822 and 733820, S.E. of Osmington; and 748820 N. of West Ringstead. Lengths vary from 130 yds. to 220 yds., widths of treads from 3 yds. to 50 yds., heights of risers from 1 ft. to 30 ft. Slopes along treads are up to 16° and across them up to 10°.

Broad ridge-and-furrow with ridges about 11 yds. wide and gently curved in plan occurs over about 15 acres near 719834 and with ridges 8 yds. wide around 748820.'

<3> Barton, J G, Various, Field Investigators Comments JGB, F2 JGB 10-JUL-80 (Unpublished document). SDO11900.

<4> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 4445-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11771.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454336 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 27 2023 4:33PM