Monument record 1211/0/1 - Deer Park Boundary & Possible Deer Leap

{1} The south-western boundary of the park was Watling Street, but only a normal hedge-bank is visible today along this section. The boundary then turned north-east and ran along the north-west side of the road to Yardley Gobion village, following its sharp bends to a point just south-west of Moor End (at SP753444). Along this section there are traces of a large bank between 1m and 1.5m high x 5m-6m wide. The boundary then ran north-west as far as a small east-flowing stream (at SP748452), and the hedge is here in places on a bank up to 1.5m high x 6m wide. The northern edge of the medieval deer park may have turned west here and followed the stream as far as Watling Street, but the boundary of the later park certainly crossed the stream and ran on north-west until it reached the southern side of Grafton Park (at SP746454). It then followed this park westwards to Watling Street.

{5} The park was bounded by Watling Street to the south-west and united in boundary with Grafton Park along its northern edge. An excellent survey of Grafton Park made c.1720 shows the boundaries of Potterspury Park as well. They can be traced on the ground. Watling Street and the road between Yardley Gobion and Moor End define the park on the west and the south-east sides. The hedgerow between Moor End Manor Farm and Grafton Cottage Farm brings the boundary to 5the stream. A number of old decaying oaks are seen in the hedgerow. The curving field boundary takes the boundary to its junction with Grafton Park.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.176/Site 8 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> 1720, NRO 4211 G 3804, (unchecked) (Map). SNN21685.

<3> Collier; Adams, c1727, Map of Potterspury, (unchecked) (Map). SNN20527.

<4> 1776, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN21690.

<5> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.230 (checked) (Article). SNN37713.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2023 4:24PM