SDO16953 - Farmstead and Landscape Statement: Dorset Heaths
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Type | Monograph |
---|---|
Title | Farmstead and Landscape Statement: Dorset Heaths |
Author/Originator | Lake, J, and Edwards, R |
Date/Year | 2020 |
Historic England | 139/2020 |
Abstract/Summary
Historic character
■ There is a predominant pattern of low densities of isolated farmsteads in the landscape, intermixed with small villages.
■ The area contains some large areas of open heathland and woodland plantations, 19thcentury enclosures of heathland and areas of 17th-century and later enclosure, often reorganised. There are small areas of possible medieval assarting in the north-east part of the area.
■ Development in the 20th-century has had a significant impact on the north-east of the area.
■ Small-scale regular and loose courtyard plans are common. Some larger farmsteads are found, particularly in the west of the area.
■ Threshing barns on earlier farmsteads, usually of three to five bays long, are sometimes accompanied by a granary either standing on staddle stones or on brick arches. Multifunctional ranges are typical of farmsteads associated with 19th-century enclosures.
Significance
■ Generally, pre-19th century working buildings are very rare, and the area was subject to high levels of change over the 20th century.
■ There are some rare examples of staddle barns, more commonly associated with the chalk downs and particularly unusual in a heathland context.
■ Free-standing granaries are vulnerable to change.
■ Some timber-framing and stone was used on the older farmsteads, and there is some rare survival of earth walling and thatch. Present and future issues The Photo Image Project (2006) recorded a high proportion of listed working farm buildings converted to non-agricultural use in this National Character Area (38.9%, the national average being 32%).
External Links (0)
Description
Historic England report 139/2020. First published by English Heritage in 2013. A4 report of 13 pages. Swindon.
Location
Dorset Historic Environment Record
Referenced Monuments (0)
Referenced Events (1)
- EDO7103 Landscape Character Area 129 Dorset Heaths; farmstead character assessment 2020
Record last edited
Oct 8 2021 4:08PM