Monument record MDO7587 - Undated field system, Encombe House, Corfe Castle

Field system identified in the grounds of Encombe House. The field system covered an area of 32 hectares in 1952 but was reduced to 16 hectares by 1986. The lynchets were widely spaced and from 0.5 metres to 2 metres high. The field system is visible as low earthworks on lidar.

Field system. There are pronounced lynchets in this area. <1>

The 32 ha. of field system delineated in 1952 has been reduced to 16 ha. by agricultural activity. Centred at SY 94877768, on the upper hillside under permanent pasture are 10 ha. of N. to S. lynchets wide spaced but from 0.5m to 2m high and three or four downhill field banks. These continue into the lower hillside where there are a further 6 ha. of system but much smoothed by ploughing, centred at SY 94557750. <2>

The site was mapped as part of the the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset). Low lynchets are visible on lidar taken in 2008-9. <3-4>

<1> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 21-JUL-52 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, 30-APR-86 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> Channel Coastal Observatory, 23-MAR-2008, Lidar (Photograph). SDO12878.

<4> Channel Coastal Observatory, 25-FEB-2009, Lidar (Aerial Photograph). SDO12879.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456552 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2024 4:36PM