Monument record 5400 - Open Field System, Culworth

{1} The common fields of the parish were enclosed by agreement in 1612. Ridge-and-furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photographs over most of the parish. On the lower flatter ground it is arranged in interlocked furlongs, many of reversed-S form, but on the edges of the rising ground it is in end-on furlongs running across the contours. One exception to this is in the N. of the parish, beside the R. Cherwell, where there are long sweeps of end-on furlongs parallel to the contours on the sloping valley sides. In the same area (SP 541489) one of these furlongs is set below a steep natural scarp caused by landslips. Here the ridge-and-furrow narrows, the ridges joining together and curving markedly to avoid the lower projections of the landslip.

{2} Culworth was enclosed by agreement in 1612 (NRO F(C) 43). It was mapped from the 1839 Tithe map (NRO T230). There are a significant number of buildings, approximately thirty, dispersed within the township shown on the tithe map, most presumably representing farms though some may be isolated field barns. Most are still in existence on the OS 1880s mapping. Although there is no significant extent of woodland within the parish there are numerous small spinneys and narrow strips of planting along the edge of closes.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.40 site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Hall D.N.; Britnell T., 2000?, South Northamptonshire Historic Landscape: Part III, p. 11 (Report). SNN103302.

<3> 1839, Culworth Tithe Map (Map). SNN9509.

Record last edited

May 11 2023 4:33PM