Monument record MDO39613 - Post medieval or early 20th century enclosure, Avon Common, Hurn, Christchurch

A post medieval or early 20th century banked enclosure on Avon Common is visible on 1940s aerial photographs. The enclosure was digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

A post medieval or early 20th century banked enclosure on Avon Common is visible on 1940s aerial photographs (1).

The enclosure is sub-rectangular with raised banks and a possible entrance to the northeast. It measures approximately 18m by 12m.

The function of the enclosure is unknown but may be associated with historic agricultural activity on this part of the heath; possibly a medieval or post medieval bee garden. Alternatively it may be associated with military activity in the area or the Second World War Hurn Airfield to the west.

An aerial photograph of 1957 shows the enclosure as extant but probably in disuse and within heathland scrub (2). By 1982 the enclsoure appears much deteriorated and under scrubby vegetation (3). It is no longer visible on current Google Earth imagery (4).

The enclosure was digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP.

<1> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-46, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 RS 4172-3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15501.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 18-SEPT-57, OS/57R1 V 156 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15518.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 26-APR-82, OS/82068 V 89 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15503.

<4> Google Earth, 2017, Google Earth 2017 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15388.

Record last edited

Oct 3 2017 4:34PM