Monument record MDO3551 - Maze, Maze Field, Blandford Forum

The maze is mentioned by Stukeley and lay in a close at the corner of the turn into the Shaftesbury Road. It was formed by small ridges about 1ft high, and covered nearly an acre of ground. The maze was entirely destroyed by ploughing about 1730; the field, however, is still known as 'Maze Field'. <2> Plan <3>.

There are no visible traces of this maze. Its site is occupied by a cemetery. By analogy with other mazes, such as the one at Leigh, Dorset, and Breamore, Hants it was probably of Medieval origin. <4>

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1928-38 (Map). SWX1540.

(ST 89200737) Maze

<2> Hutchins, J, 1774, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 1. 1st edition, 292-293 (Monograph). SWX2949.

‘In this parish was a remarkable piece of antiquity, lying in a close near Blandford, at the right-hand corner as you turn off into the Shaftesbury road. Dr. Stukely accounts it one of the Julain Bowers, frequently found at Roman towns, very common in Lincolnshire, and generally upon open green places, by the side of roads or rivers, and in meadows near town. There are often called Troy Town. Their present appearance is that of a circular or irregular work, made of banks of earth in fashion of a maze or labyrinth, in running over which boys still diver themselves. He will have it to e an ancient Roman game practised by the Britsons, and that the name Julian refers to Iulus, son of Aeneas, who first brought them into Italy. Bower does not signify an arbour, but burgh, or any works made of ramparts of earth. This at Pimperne was formed of small ridges about a foot high, and covered near an acre of ground. It was entirely destroyed by the plough about 1730; the field, however, is still known as “Maze Field”. The site of the maze was near where the Cemetery now stands. “On the downe between Blandford and Pimperne, in Dorset, was a maze which was much used by young people on holidays, and by the shoolboies.” ‘ Footnotes omitted.

<3> Anon, 1857-8, Associated Architectural Societies reports and papers, 258, 261-2 (Serial). SDO17714.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 08-DEC-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 205441 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 11:20AM