Monument record MDO39502 - Historic or modern enclosures, Barnfield Heath, Christchurch

Two small historic or modern enclosures on Barnfield Heath are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and were digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP.

Two small historic or modern enclosures on Barnfield Heath are visible on 1940s aerial photographs (1).

The southeast enclosure measures 5.4m by 5.9m, with a possible entrance on its south side. The uneven enclosing bank may have been formed using cast up earth. The northwest enclosure is semi-circular in form, possibly truncated, and measures 5.3m by 4.8m. It is open to the southeast.

The enclosures may be modern and associated with wider wartime military activity on the heathland north of Christchurch. Alternativelythey may be medieval or post medieval agricultural enclosures, possibly bee gardens.

The enclosures were sited on open heathland in 1949 (1). They are no longer clearly visible by 1956 (2).

The enclosures were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

<1> Royal Air Force, 07-NOV-49, RAF/541/381 RS 4033 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15476.

<2> Royal Air Force, 25-JAN-56, RAF/540/1789 V 26-7 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15477.

Record last edited

Sep 28 2017 12:50PM