Monument record 589/0/28 - Banks and terraces, Preston Capes

Banks and terraces along the hillside to the north, west and south of the church, appear to be natural features, possibly resulting from landslips which often occur on Upper Lias Clay. To the north of the church there are two large terraces which, although they appear to be man made, may in part be natural. Also, other features, specifically two small rectangular ponds dammed to the north fed by emerging springs at this height, may be enhanced natural features.

{1} Banks, Quarries and Ponds (centred SP 574 549), N, W and S of the church, on a very steep N-facing scarp of Upper Lias Clay, between 150m and 175m above OD. Many of the banks and terraces along this hillside appear to be natural and probably result from landslips which often occur on Upper Lias Clay. Some of the features, however, seem to be man-made, although these are difficult to interpret. In the SW a massive bank 3m high and 10m wide runs through the hillside near the top of the scarp (SP 573 547), with a wide ditch behind it for most of its length. This may be the 'fosse' and 'entrenchement'mentioned by Baker. On a map of 1742 the ditch is shown as a road, then still in use, which together with the existing lane to the S, formed a loop E. of the village stretching as far as Preston Capes Farm. Close to the church (SP 574 548) there appear to be at least two small rectangular ponds, dammed on the N and perhaps fed by springs which emerge at this height. To the N of the church and rectory there are two large terraces which, although they appear man-made, are probably at least in part natural. In 1742 these lay in Home Close.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 167/Site 6 (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 431 (Book). SNN77327.

<3> 1742, Preston Capes Tithe Map (Map). SNN8592.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:38PM