Monument record MDO7216 - Prehistoric field system, Bloxworth

Cropmarks of an Iron Age and Romano British type field system and an earthwork of a supposed 'British Settlement'. Bank and ditched linear features forming part of a plough-levelled field system are visible as cropmarks and low earthwork on aerial photographs and lidar imagery and were digitally recorded during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM.

A mutilated British earthwork, extending over a considerable space, protected on the west by a double agger and fosse of some strength (Hutchins 1861).

Field-system visible on air-photographs. (Atkinson 1949)

An IA/RB type field-system is visible on the air-photographs (RAF/CPE/UK/1974 3344-5). Only two lynchets are now visible, the area being under stubble or pasture. The 'agger and fosse' mentioned by Hutchins (1861) was probably the double-lynchet way visible on the air-photographs. (Swatridge 1954)

Bloxworth Down (SY 875958 - SY 879962) Remains of 'Celtic' fields with lynchets up to 5ft high cover 50 acres mostly on moderate west and north slopes. A probable double-lynchet track is traceable for 1/4 mile running north from under a 'Celtic' field angle at SY 87589580 to just west of round barrow (SY 89 NE 22). (RCHME 1970)

The area is presently under crop and no remains of the field system can be seen. (Attrill 1981)

Bank and ditched linear features forming part of a plough-levelled field system are visible as cropmarks and low earthwork on aerial photographs (RAF/106G/LA/163 RP 4084; RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RP 3344; Boyden JRB 75/3)and lidar imagery (Environment Agency 2021) and were digitally recorded during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM. The features cover an area of over 34 hectares.

Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East) (Unpublished document). SDO17434.

Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F2 NJA 28-MAY-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

National Record of the Historic Environment, 455755 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Swatridge, G C, Ordnance Survey Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 09-NOV-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1902 (Map). SWX1540.

[Centred at SY 87559625] British Settlement (NR) (Site of)

Royal Air Force, 05-MAR-1945, RAF/106G/LA/163 RP 4084 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19896.

Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 3344-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19635.

Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RP 3344 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19898.

Environment Agency, 16-NOV-2021, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM (Aerial Photograph). SDO18034.

Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 4127 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19636.

John Hutchins, edited by Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W, 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1, 184 (Monograph). SDO12569.

Atkinson, R J C, 1949, spec 6 inch (RJCA 1.3.49) (Map). SWX1583.

Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 633 (Monograph). SDO150.

'Group (33): Bloxworth Down (SY 89 NE; 875958–879962), Bloxworth. Remains of 'Celtic' fields with lynchets up to 5 ft. high cover 50 acres between 150 ft. and 240 ft. above O.D., mostly on moderate W. and N. slopes. A probable double-lynchet track is traceable for ¼ mile running N. from under a 'Celtic' field angle at 87589580 to just W. of round barrow, Bloxworth (36) (cf. Hutchins 1, 184). (R.A.F. V.A.P. CPE/UK 1934: 4127.)'

John Boyden, XX-XXX-XXXX, JRB 75/3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19897.

Record last edited

Oct 9 2025 1:25PM