Monument record MDO856 - Prehistoric field system, Cheselbourne

'Celtic' fields are traceable from north-north west of Manor Farm, Cheselbourne, to Henning Hill, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey, between ST 750008 and 767018, over about 100 acres of Chalk downland.

<1> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 332 (Monograph). SDO136.

'Group (46): Manor Farm and Henning Hill (Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey). 'Celtic' fields are traceable from N.N.W. of Manor Farm, Cheselbourne, to Henning Hill, Cheselbourne and Melcombe Horsey, between ST 750008 and 767018, over about 100 acres of Chalk downland. They lie between about 400 ft. and 650 ft. O.D., mostly on the steeper hill slopes, but in one place, 1/4 mile N. of Manor Farm , crossing the valley bottom. They formerly continued in all directions. Some destruction by strip ploughing is apparent N.W. of Manor Farm and on the slopes of Henning Hill, especially on its N.E. side (cf. Melcombe Horsey (10)).

An original pattern recognisable over some 20 acres N.W. of Manor Farm includes long fields but only one is complete, 170 yards. Long by 20 yards. To 30 yds. Wide. Slopes here are from 5 degree to 16 degrees, lynchets 3 ft. to 9 ft. high.

On the N. tip of Henning Hill, ay 75950197, is a pentagonal enclosure, probably an altered 'Celtic' field about 1/3 acre in area, delimited by a massive lynchet on the N., a low bank 12 ft. wide on the E. and traces of bank or lynchet elsewhere. Poor remains of 'Celtic' fields lie around it.
Air photographs: CPE/UK 1934: 1151-2'.

Record last edited

Nov 7 2017 1:20PM