Monument record MDO3569 - Shrunken medieval settlement, Stour Park, Blandford St Mary

Shrunken medieval settlement earthworks were visible at Stour Park, Blandford St Mary, prior to the development of a retail park. Excavation in advance of development demonstrated that occupation spanned the late Saxon and medieval periods, possibly being deserted during the 14th century.

Shrunken medieval settlement earthworks were visible at Stour Park, Blandford St Mary, prior to the development of a retail park [1]. Excavation in advance of development demonstrated that occupation spanned the late Saxon and medieval periods, possibly being deserted during the 14th century [2][3].

The settlement was arranged around a junction of holloways and the excavated evidence comprised buildings, enclosures, post-holes, an oven and pits at the rear of the buildings [2][3][4]. By the early 19th century the settlement had shrunk to comprise a single dairy farm at the end of School Lane.

DCC SMR, to 2003, Former DCC SMR Card Index (Index). SWX8285.

'This site was visited in the summer of 1983 to investigate the effects of the route of the new Blandford by-pass. The by-pass route crossed the hollow way mentioned above (sub-note see (23)? CJP 3.2.92) which was still in fair condition near the manor house but was virtually non-existant near the west corner of the old orchard where the cut was to be made.

Prior to road construction a water pipe was laid under the route of the road heading NE-SW. The opportunity was taken to observe the trench where it cut possible house platforms to the W of the old orchard but before the A350. There was no evidence of any archaeological deposits in any of the trenches. M.Simons & L.J.Keen 1983'

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 45 (Monograph). SDO146.

'(24) Settlement Remains (888057), formerly part of Blandford Martel, lie 400 yds. N.W. of the Manor House on either side of the railway. The remains, covering about 6 acres, consist of at least ten rectangular closes with sides up to 70 yds. long, bounded by low banks, scarps and slight ditches.'

<2> Graham, A and Cox, P W, 1993, The Archaeological Evaluation of the Proposed Stour Park, Blandford St. Mary, Dorset (centred on ST 889 057) (Unpublished document). SDO11607.

<3> Graham, A, and Cox, P W, 1993, The Stage 2 Archaeological Evaluation of the Proposed Stour Park, Blandford St. Mary, Dorset (centred on ST 889 057) (Unpublished document). SDO11608.

<4> Hennessy, B, 2004, Stour Park, Blandford St Mary, Dorset. Post-Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SDO11609.

Record last edited

May 6 2025 5:01PM