Monument record MDO4795 - Medieval hamlet of Ash, Stourpaine

The remains of a medieval settlement, with earthworks representing a number of closes with areas of rubble indicating the sites of houses. Documentary records show that there were still ten houses in the settlement in the late eighteenth century. The record for this monument has been enhanced with support from Wessex Water. Banked linear earthworks to the south and southeast of Lazerton Farm are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and Environment Agency lidar imagery. The features might be boundaries and plots associated with the deserted medieval hamlet of Ash and were digitally plotted during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project.

Settlement remains of the former hamlet of Ash ST 865102, lie immediately S. of Ash Farm on the E. side of the R.Iwerne.

The recorded population in 1086 was seven (D.B. Vol. 1.f. 82a), fifteen taxpayers were listed in 1333, four households were recorded in 1662 (Meekings, 68) and there were still ten houses late in the 18th century (Hutchins 1, 309). At the beginning of the 19th century six or seven buildings stood S. of the farm (O.S., 1811), but none of them corresponds with the existing earthwork remains; until quite recently a group of cottages stood to the W. of the earthworks (O.S. 6 ins., 1902). The fragmentary remains comprise at least four closes, orientated E.-W., 70 yds. Long, 25 yds. To 30 yds. Wide and bounded by low banks. Areas of rubble at the western ends of the closes indicate former house-sites. <1, 2>

Banked linear earthworks to the south and southeast of Lazerton Farm are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and Environment Agency lidar imagery (RAF 1943; EA 2018). The features might be boundaries and plots associated with the deserted medieval hamlet of Ash and were digitally plotted during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project.

Royal Air Force, 13-JAN-1943, RAF/HLA/651 FP 1151 (Aerial Photograph). SDO21521.

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

<1> Royal Air Force, 27-04-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2038 3231-2 (Aerial Photograph). SDO16338.

<2> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 262 No 8 (Monograph). SDO136.

‘(8) SETTLEMENT REMAINS of the former hamlet of Ash (865102) lie immediately S. of Ash Farm on the E. side of the R. Iwerne.
The recorded population in 1086 was seven (D.B. Vol. I, f. 82a), fifteen taxpayers were listed in 1333, four households were recorded in 1662 (Meekings, 68) and there were still ten houses late in the 18th century (Hutchins I, 309). At the beginning of the 19th century six or seven buildings stood S. of the farm (O.S., 1811), but none of them corresponds with the existing earthwork remains; until quite recently a group of cottages stood to the W. of the earthworks (O.S. 6 ins., 1902).
The fragmentary remains comprise at least four closes, orientated E.-W., 70 yds. long, 25 yds. to 30 yds. wide and bounded by low banks. Areas of rubble at the western ends of the closes indicate former house-sites.’

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1987, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1986, 189-190 (Serial). SDO86.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206142 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 2 2025 4:30PM