Historic background
This is a small-scale, complex and intricate area showing evidence for settlement and landscape organisation over several successive periods. It is possible to pick out at least three phases of field patterns, with some ‘current’ boundaries preserving earlier layouts, alongside relict boundaries and lynchets. Relict prehistoric and medieval settlements are also present, while the area has a pattern of small, scattered farms on the margins of the enclosed land, often at the end of winding, narrow trackways. Some are undoubtedly 19th century encroachments. A complex of small footpaths criss-crosses the area, and there are small trial levels.
Key historic landscape characteristics
Palimpsest of field boundaries, relict archaeology, scattered farms, winding paths and tracks
An intricate area made up of small details relating to many periods, within a framework of small, irregular fields, many of which date from the 18th century. The scattered settlement pattern reflects earlier occupation of the area, and there is considerable potential for researching and demonstrating landscape evolution in a restricted area.
