Monument record MDO1705 - Medieval fishpond, Melcombe Horsey

A string of four well preserved fishponds of probable Medieval date or later. The fishponds are visible as earthworks on lidar imagery and were digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project.

Centred ST 75620236. Earthworks reported by Mr. P. Besent <1.1>, in a narrow belt of woodland 600m. E. of Higher Melcombe D.M.V. (ST 70 SW 38).

A string of four well preserved fishponds of probable Medieval date or later, covering an area of 2.0 acres (4.9ha), and extending for 220m. in a N-S direction down a gentle slope. Each pond, now marshy and densely overgrown, is separated by a substantial earthen dam of average 33.0m. in length, 8.0m. in width, and 1.9m. in height on the downhill side. Water was originally supplied from a spring 65m. to the N., and the flow appears to have been controlled along lateral-leats which extend down each side of the pond complex.

A small stream now breaches the lower three dams.

An unusual feature of the site is the construction of an earthen mound, of average 8.0m. in length, 6.0m. in width and 1.2m. in height, within each of the lower three ponds, so as to form a small island; this may be of modern origin. Pond complex surveyed at 1:2500 on M.S.D. <1>

The fishponds are visible as earthworks on lidar imagery and were digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project. (Environment Agency 2023)

Historic Environment Record compiler's comments, Mark Simons, 20 October 1983 (Verbal communication). SDO20225.

'Presumably medieval. Not recorded by RCHM. Visible on AP DCC 1934 3180. Not checked on the ground.'

<1> Stone, J W, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator's Comments JWS, F1 JWS 22-JAN-80 (Unpublished document). SDO11902.

<1.1> Besant, P, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments: P Besant, Melcombe Farm, Melcombe Horsey (Verbal communication). SDO17632.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 201908 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<3> Environment Agency, 15-DEC-2023, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM (Aerial Photograph). SDO20691.

Record last edited

Dec 9 2025 5:09PM