Monument record MDO39539 - Post medieval or modern enclosures, Barnfield Heath, Hurn, Christchurch

A group of small post medieval or modern enclosures on Barnfield Heath are visible on 1940s aerial photographs and were digitally plotted during the Dorset Stour NMP.

A group of small post medieval or modern enclosures on Barnfield Heath are visible on 1940s aerial photographs (1).

The enclosures number at least eight and are sub-oval in form, with shallow scoops or hollows flanked by cast up earth banks. Typically they measure around 3m by 2.5m in size, some being open at both ends, some with single entrances and some with no clear entrances. The direction of entrances vary.

The enclosures are considered likely to be associated with wartime military activity on the heathland north of Christchurch. Alternatively they may be post medieval agricultural in origin.

The enclosures were sited on open heathland in 1949 (1). They may survive under heathland scrub but are no longer obviously visible on current Google Earth imagery.

The features were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

<1> Royal Air Force, 07-NOV-49, RAF/541/381/RS 4032 (Aerial Photograph). SDO15478.

Record last edited

Sep 29 2017 3:14PM