Monument record MDO3962 - Medieval field system west of Manor Farm, Hilton

An extensive medieval field system including strip lynchets and ridge and furrow cultivation are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1947. Much of it has since been plough-levelled although some features are still visible as earthworks on lidar imagery. The features were digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project.

An extensive medieval field system including strip lynchets and ridge and furrow cultivation are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1947. Much of it has since been plough-levelled although some features are still visible as earthworks on lidar imagery. The features were digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project. (RAF 1947, EA 2023)

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 113 (Monograph). SDO146.

‘(29) CULTIVATION REMAINS: (a) A three-field system existed at Hilton in the 14th century (H. L. Gray, English Field Systems, 1915, appx. II, 461) but the date of enclosure is unknown. Strip lynchets of these fields cover about 60 acres around the village. Due W. of Manor Farm (776037) a particularly well-preserved set, of contour type with massive risers, appears in part to overlie 'Celtic' fields.’

<2> Environment Agency, 15-DEC-2023, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM (Aerial Photograph). SDO20691.

<3> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 5175 (Aerial Photograph). SDO21597.

Record last edited

Dec 12 2025 5:51PM