Monument record 6107 - Open Field System, Wellingborough

The common fields of the parish were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1765. A survey of 1320 names three open fields, Southfield, Opfield and Eastfield. Three scattered blocks of ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks, in the eastern end of the district of Wellingborough, on aerial photographs. Only one block is still visible as earthworks.

{3} The common fields of the parish were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1765. A survey of 1320 names three open fields, Southfield, Opfield and Eastfield. Ridge-and-furrow of these fields can be seen, on the ground or on air photographs, in the W. of the parish, though much of this has now been built over. In this area the furlongs were mostly arranged end-on in a band to the S. of the Sywell Road, and interlocked to N. and S. of this band. There is a small area of interlocked and end-on furlongs against the S. boundary of the parish (centred SP 893656), and fragments of ridge-and-furrow are also traceable N. of the town.

{4-6} Three scattered blocks of ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks, in the eastern end of the district of Wellingborough, on aerial photographs and were mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Only one block is still visible as earthworks at SP 91529 68239.

<1> Steadman S., 1992, A509 Isham And Great Harrowden Bypasses Archaeological Evaluation, Stage 1: Desk-top Survey, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN101558.

<2> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.49-50 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, Site 35 (Series). SNN77380.

<4> Vertical Aerial Photograph, RAF/CPE/UK/2535 V 5008-5009 25-MAR-1948 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<5> Vertical Aerial Photograph, OS/62009 V 058-059 16-MAR-1962 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<6> Environment Agency, LIDAR Composite DTM - 1m, LIDAR SP9168 Environment Agency 1M DTM 01 Oct 2014 - 31 May 2017 (Digital Plots). SNN111710.

<7> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, MD003015 (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:09PM