Monument record MDO48103 - Medieval deer park, Winterbourne Steepleton

It has been suggested, based on placename evidence, that there may have been a medieval deer park in this area. It is now known, however, that this area was part of the medieval open field system, which does not support this being a park.

Wilson, J D, 1980, The medieval deer-parks of Dorset XVI; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 7 (Article in serial). SDO14056.

‘WINTERBOURNE STEEPLETON (P.35). A group of field names in the Tithe Apportionment, such as ‘Five Acres in Parks’, ‘Two Acres in Parks’, and so on, lying on the downs some three-quarters of a mile south-west of the church, suggested the possibility of a mediaeval park at Winterbourne Steepleton. However, the RCHM have shown (II, Pt. 2, pp.396-7) that the area involved lay within East Field, one of the three open fields of the village. There is nothing to suggest the existence of a mediaeval park elsewhere in the parish, and no documentary evidence of such.’

Record last edited

Jul 5 2024 7:55PM