Monument record 5995 - Open Field System, Towcester

The common fields of Towcester, together with those of Wood Burcote and Caldecote, were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1762; the exact arrangement of these fields is not known.

{1} The common fields of Towcester, together with those of Wood Burcote and Caldecote, were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1762; the exact arrangement of these fields is not known.

Ridge-and-furrow exists on the ground or can be traced on air photographs over large parts of the parish, arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs, many of reversed-S form. It is particularly well marked along the small N.E.-flowing stream which crosses the centre of the parish (SP 681470–694485) where the furlongs are all arranged at right angles to the contours. The same feature is visible along the R. Tove and beside the streams flowing S. from Caldecote. Where ridge-and-furrow no longer exists, well-marked headlands, up to 10 m. wide and 0.25 m. high can still be traced on the ground (e.g. SP 693475).

Ridge-and-furrow also survives over a large part of Handley Park, again arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs. As some of this ridge-and-furrow appears to underlie field boundaries which are known to have been laid out in the 16th century, it presumably dates from the medieval period but it is not possible to tell whether this ridge-and-furrow is earlier than the formation of the park itself.

{3} Towcester contains the hamlets of Caldecote and Wood Burcote, the first forming a separate township. To the west is Handley Park, recorded in 1236. A field book of 1606 describes 8 unequal fields, of which Spittle Field has some furlongs that belonged enirely to the lord, likely to be demesne.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.160 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.42 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

<3> HALL D.N., 1995, The Open Fields of Northamptonshire, p.353 (Series). SNN56219.

<4> Royal Air Force, 1940s, RAF Vertical Aerial Photographs, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926, 1034–6, 1230–6, 3234–7 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105266.

<5> Oblique Aerial Photograph, F21 58/RAF/2316, 0065–6 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

Record last edited

Sep 4 2026 3:26PM