Monument record MDO2684 - Deer Park, Thorncombe

(Centred ST 341035) A deer park at Westford belonging to Forde Abbey (ST 30 NE 15) is implied by a group of 'park' place-names, including four fields north-east of Westford Park with 'Old Park' names and an isolated barn called 'Little Park' (at ST 34370350).

The north boundary of the park may be represented by a bank 11 feet wide and 3 feet high with a ditch on its south side, which is bordered by a right-of-way leading from the north-west to the road
at Herridge Farm.

A bridle road running southward from Herridge Farm towards Holditch is taken as the eastern side of the park, although only one short length of bank and ditch survives, just south of the farm called James Lears.

Immediately beyond this bank a stream running westward to the Axe seems a probable line for the southern side of the park.

A cart-track and lane running north-south via Westford Park Farm are suggested for the western side of the park, although no earthworks survive to confirm this. (1)

<1> Gent, T H, 1994, Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed Extension to Chard Junction Quarry, Thorncombe, Dorset, 51 (Unpublished document). SDO12374.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1980, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1978, 35 (Serial). SDO78.

An area of tithe free land surrounding Westford Park includes an area identified as a probable medieval deer park. The archaeological assessment identified an approximate boundary for the park with most, perhaps all, of the park situated in tithe-free land owned by Forde Abbey. The author noted that Westford Park is first mentioned in tax returns for 1291. <1>

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 191535 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 4 2022 2:20PM