Monument record MDO43636 - Field systems on Melbury Down

'Celtic' fields have survived in the vicinity of Melbury Down, and remains occur around ST 891189. <2>

Area centred ST 89201890. Vestigial traces of possible Celtic fields are discernible on the lower north facing slopes of this scrub covered east-west coombe. The remains are now too slight for conclusive identification. <3>

The fields were examined during MPPA investigation during May 2000. The land is owned by the National Trust, the grass is grazed by sheep, and the vegetation managed to provide cover for birds. It will therefore be well managed for the foreseeable future and is not recommended for scheduling. <4>

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1962 (Map). SWX1540.

ST 891189 Field System (NR).

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 120 (Monograph). SDO99.

'Group (79): Melbury Down and Compton Down (Compton Abbas and Melbury Abbas). 'Celtic' fields have survived in the vicinity of Melbury Down, on the slopes of the deep and narrow dry valley which extends E. from Melbury Abbas village. Remains seen on air photographs S. and S.E. of Breeze Hill have now been levelled by ploughing or are obscured by the conifers of Gardiner Forest. They cover at least 100 acres on the often steep slopes of the spurs and reentrants forming the N. side of the valley, between 500 ft. and 800 ft. above O.D. (894196—905196). Other remains occur to the S., around 891189, at a similar height on the northward-facing side of the valley; presumably they formerly extended on to the higher, more level ground to the S. Across the spur to the S.W., in Compton Abbas, remains of 'Celtic' fields occur on the steep slopes around the head of the combe E. of the village (884187); scarps are seen, but no complete fields. Ploughing above and below has removed all indication of their former extent. Air photographs: CPE/UK 1811: 1079–81, 3078–80.'

<3> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F1 GB 02-FEB-78 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<3.1> Royal Air Force, 07-JAN-1954, RAF 58/1332 F22 0054-56 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17867.

<3.2> Royal Air Force, 19-AUG-76, RAF/542 F21 080-081 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17861.

<3.3> Royal Air Force, 19-AUG-76, RAF/542 F21 082 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17866.

<4> English Heritage, English Heritage Alternative Action Report, S J Lobb, September 2000 (Scheduling record). SDO18279.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 205853 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2022 3:41PM