Monument record MDO28566 - Boundary banks at Vearse Farm, Symondsbury

Several linear earthworks were observed in 1994 during a site visit as part of an archaeological evaluation. These features were earthen banks, some with stone cores, and were interpreted as former former constructed hedgerows / field boundaries. Cartographic evidence showed them to be hedgerows removed in recent decades.

Multiple linear earthworks. Remains of former field boundaries removed as fields amalgamated. Present farm building may not be first building on site. (1)

<1> Currie, C K, 1994, A Desk-Top Archaeological Assessment of Vearse Farm, Symondsbury, near Bridport, Dorset. SY455924. November 1994. (Unpublished document). SWX8293.

<2> Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1995, Medieval Archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology 39 (Serial). SDO16854.

‘40. SYMONOSBURY, V£ARSE FARM (SY 455 924). An assessment of the archaeological potential of c. 52.6 ha (130 acres) of farmland was carried out by C. K. Currie of C.K.C. Archaeology in advance of proposals by Broadlands Leisure Ltd to build a golf course. During the medieval period, the farm appears to have been part of an assarted settlement area on the SE. edge of the large and prosperous parish of Symondsbury. Two long-lived local families of moderate note, the Veres and the Beniscombes, successively held the estate between them for over 600 years from at least the 13th century. The recent landscape originated as a series of small fields that were gradually amalgamated into the present larger fields. Nearly all the old field boundarIes survive as earthworks within the predominantly pastoral land usage because of the substantial size of the original hedgebanks. The farmhouse itself would appear to be on the former site of a more extensive building, with a large surrounding area of gardens, orchards and outbuildings. Documentary and cartographic evidence suggests that a stone-built medieval building may have once stood on the site.’

Record last edited

Nov 12 2020 5:28PM