Monument record MDO189 - Buckham Down deer park, Beaminster

A probable medieval deer park identified from a cluster of 'park' field- and coppice names on the parish Tithe Apportionment. These suggest a broadly rectangular park perhaps half a mile from west to east, and a mile from north to south. The northern boundary of the park appears to be the River Axe. The western boundary probably followed the stream marking the parish boundary between Beaminster and Broadwindsor parishes, and the eastern edge may be defined by a bridle road linking South Perrott and Beaminster. The southern edge may be part of the ancient 'Northern Trackway' on Buckham Down. Nothing has been found of the park boundary or pale.

(Centred ST 471040). The existence of a Medieval deer park north of Beaminster is suggested by the name "Park Coppice" on OS 6" (ST 471043) and the field names "Great Park" and "Park Cowleaze" on the Tithe map to the west and south of this wood.

Suggested boundaries are the River Axe to the north, the stream following the parish boundary on the west, the Buckham Down road to the south, and on the east the ancient bridle road leading to Beaminster.

No documentary evidence for the park could be found, nor have any park earthworks been located. <1>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1975, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1974, 49-50 (Serial). SDO74.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 193054 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 14 2022 4:43PM