Monument record 3253/0/8 - Probable medieval park boundary, Higham Park

A probable medieval and/or post-medieval sinuous boundary ditch is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. Located across many fields east of Higham Park, the sinuous boundary ditch is up to 15 metres wide in places and extends about 2077 metres. The boundary roughly parallels the larger medieval park boundary and so may represent an earlier and smaller iteration of the park. It is notable that medieval or post-medieval ridge and cultivation blocks respect the boundary of the blocks on the NW side, inside which no ridge and furrow blocks were visible or mapped.

{2} The park dates to the early 12th century, but was enlarged in 1166. A fieldwork survey undertaken in 1967 identified a soilmark of an inner rampart, which supports there being an earlier and smaller stage. It is confirmed by a plan of 1794 {3} kept with the tithe papers of the park, showing hedges then following boundaries of the inner park.

{4} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2016 identified a linear anomaly relating to a former field boundary present on historic maps until the late 20th century. The field boundary follows the same course as the earlier park boundary. No further anomalies of potential archaeological interest were identified.

{5-7} A probable medieval and/or post-medieval sinuous boundary ditch is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located across many fields east of Higham Park and centred at SP 98692 63413, the sinuous boundary ditch is up to 15 metres wide in places and extends about 2077 metres from SP 98563 64182 to SP 99851 63732. The boundary roughly parallels the larger medieval park boundary (NRHE 965118) and so may represent an earlier and smaller iteration of the park. It is notable that medieval or post-medieval ridge and cultivation blocks respect the boundary of the blocks on the NW side, inside which no ridge and furrow blocks were visible or mapped.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<2> Hall D.; Handing R., 1985, Rushden, A Duchy of Lancaster Village, p. 97-109 (Book). SNN105284.

<3> 1794, Copy map of Higham Park (Map). SNN111389.

<4> Evershed, R, 2016, Archaeological evaluation report: Geophysical survey by magnetometry on land off Bedford Road, Rushden, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN111728.

<5> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 16676/13 29-JUL-1996 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<6> Bedford Borough Council HER, 1996, Georeferenced composite layer of vertical aerial photographs taken in 1996. Held by Bedford Borough Council HER (Archive). SNN111739.

<7> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27056/029 29-JUN-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<8> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:56PM