Monument record 477 - Open Field System, Newnham

{1} The common fields were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1764. Before that date there were four open fields: West, Middle, North and Meadow (formerly East) Fields. There were extensive areas of old enclosure along the River Nene, to the south-east of the village, and in the north of the parish, to the north-east of Newnham Hall. All that part of the parish south of the Nene was also enclosed by 1765 and known as the Cott Lands.
Ridge and furrow exists on the ground or can be traced from aerial photographs over much of the area, and can be exactly equated with the furlongs shown on the Draft Enclosure Map. On the lower, flatter ground close to the River Nene and east of the village in the former East or Meadow Field the ridge and furrow is arranged in interlocking furlongs. To the north on the more broken ground in the former North, Middle and West Fields the pattern is more complex and is adapted to the topography; the ridges radiate outwards from the rounded hills and spurs. In some places old trackways or lanes between furlongs are visible on air photos, though none survives on the ground.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.149 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

Record last edited

Oct 5 2011 10:18AM