Monument record 7926/0/3 - Open Fields Project: Areas of Survival of Ridge & Furrow

Earthworks of medieval/post-medieval ridge and furrow cultivation identified aerial photographs during the open fields project

{6} Extensive and well-preserved ridge and furrow earthworks survive within the former Barley Field, part of the medieval open-field agricultural system of Fawsley. The pipeline route crossed former headlands, cultivation strips and a quarry trackway. The earthworks comprise multiple cultivation ridges arranged within former furlongs, including characteristic reversed S-shaped ridge morphology created by ox-team ploughing. Ridge spacing generally ranges between 7.7m and 10m, with surviving earthwork heights typically around 0.2m to 0.4m. Although degraded in some areas through later track use, landscaping and erosion, the remains represent an exceptionally well-preserved survival of the medieval agricultural landscape.

<1> Hall D.; Palmer R., 2001, Midland Open Fields Project: Digital Archive, (part checked) (Archive). SNN105253.

<2> Hall D.N., 2001, Turning The Plough - Midland Open Fields: Landscape Character and Proposals for Management, (unchecked) (Book). SNN101551.

<3> HALL D.N., 1993, The Open Fields of Northamptonshire : The Case for the Preservation of Ridge and Furrow, (unchecked) (Report). SNN70145.

<4> HALL D.N., 1993, The Open Fields of Northamptonshire: Areas Proposed for Preservation, (unchecked) (Supplement). SNN56952.

<5> Environment Agency, LIDAR Composite DTM - 1m, Accessed 13/06/2024 (Digital Plots). SNN111710.

<6> Martin Wilson, 2026, Fawsley Hall Hotel Fawsley, Northamptonshire New Foul Drainage Pipe-Line: Archaeological Topographical Survey (Report). SNN117197.

Record last edited

Aug 18 2026 3:45PM