Monument record MDO44872 - Post-mill on Bowdens, Melcombe Horsey

The antiquarian Charles Warne described a postmill in this vicinity. Ordnance Survey field workers could find no indication of this on the ground.

On Brow-dun (Bowdens), between the dyke (ST 70 SW 35) and Toot Hill, are two undated rectangular earthworks,
"impressions on the sward". They are each about six or seven yards square, bi-sected equally to form four divisions. <1>

Description suggests the sites of post mills with the impression of cross trees. No windmill shown on OS 1" 1811. <2>

Area centred ST 73800290. An extensive search of this broad flat topped ridge, now ploughed, failed to locate any ground evidence of Warne's <1> reputed earthworks. No significant markings on OS air photographs. <3?

<1> Warne, C, 1862, Ancient Dorset (1st Edition), 84 (Monograph). SWX3049.

<2> Jackson, Susan J, Ordnance Survey Field Investigator's comments SJJ, R1 SJ 16-DEC-75 (Unpublished document). SDO18921.

<3> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F1 GB 25-NOV-78 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<3.1> Ordnance Survey, OS 74/058/123-124 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17529.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 201982 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 25 2022 3:45PM