Monument record MDO4765 - Lynchets, Stoke Wake

Contour strip lynchets visible as earthworks, the remains of the medieval open field system of the parish. Historic documents suggest that a three-field system was in operation here in the early 14th century. The date of enclosure of the fields is not known. An area of medieval strip lynchets are visible as earthworks on 1940s aerial photographs and Environment Agency lidar imagery. Some of the features have been re-used within the hsitoric field pattern. They were digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project.

'(5) Cultivation remains. A three-field system appears to have been in existence in the early 14th century (P.R.O., Assize Roll No. 1349/m. 4d) but the date of enclosure is unknown. About 6oo yds. S.W. of (I), on the S.W. slope of Bulbarrow Hill (760059), there are remains of at least 26 flat strips, lying across the contours; they are up to 300 yds. long, 17 yds. to 50 yds. wide and are bounded by low banks. Immediately to the E. (764058) are two fragmentary contour strip lynchets'.

An area of medieval strip lynchets are visible as earthworks on 1940s aerial photographs and Environment Agency lidar imagery (RAF 1945; EA 2018). Some of the features have been re-used within the hsitoric field pattern. They were digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project.

Royal Air Force, 27-MAR-1945, RAF/106G/LA200 FP 1084 (Aerial Photograph). SDO21692.

Environment Agency, xx-xxx-2018, Environment Agency National Lidar Programme DTM 1M (Aerial Photograph). SDO21483.

<1> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 259 (Monograph). SDO136.

Record last edited

Feb 16 2026 4:38PM