Monument record 1229/5 - Bear's Copse

Area of medieval woodland with earthworks of boundary bank and ditch. Part of Whittlewood Forest

{1} Bear's Copse (Bare's Copse on 1610 Whittlewood map) is one of only two medieval coppices on the estate to survive complete. As with the neighbouring King's Copse, the western bank and ditch is the most impressive. To the north, the original coppice rampart is preserved just within the along the whole length of the modern rise. To the south the line of the coppice bank appears to have been preserved but the earthworks are severely degraded in parts. Internally, there are a number of small waterfilled depressions, particularly in the western block. These features are uncommon within the other woodland stands on the estate. Possibly represent small bomb craters since they follow a regular alignment and appear be the same size and shape.

<1> Jones, RLC, 2001, An archaeological survey of woodland on the Wakefield Lodge Estate, Northamptonshire, March 2001, p. 13 (Report). SNN111620.

<2> Collier; Baker;, c1600, Map of Whittlewood Forest (NRO Map 4210) (Map). SNN105610.

<3> , 1887, First Edition OS Mapping (Map). SNN1004.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 8:08PM