Monument record MDO39722 - Post medieval or early 20th century enclosure, Sopley Common, Hurn

A small semi-circular banked enclosure on Sopley Common is visible on 1940s aerial photographs. The enclosure may be of post medieval or earlier origin, although a later date is also possible. It may be agricultural in function but may alternatively be military in origin. The feature was digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

A small semi-circular banked enclosure on Sopley Common is visible on 1940s aerial photographs (1). The enclosure measures around 4.5m across and is located on open heathland. A possible entrance is visible facing west.

The enclosure may be of post medieval or earlier origin, although a later date is also possible. It may be agricultural in function but may alternatively be military in origin.

An enclosure is visble at this location on a 2002 vertical aerial photograph, although this appears larger - about 9m across, and with a possible entrance facing south (2). The banks are heavily vegetated. It may be the same feature, or an altered version of the original.

The feature was digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

<1> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-46, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 RP 3217-8 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15566.

<2> Dorset County Council, 2002, Dorset County Council Vertical Photograph (Aerial Photograph). SDO13401.

Record last edited

Nov 7 2017 12:26PM