HeritageGateway - Home
Site Map
Text size: A A A
You are here: Home > > > > Lincolnshire HER Result
Lincolnshire HERPrintable version | About Lincolnshire HER | Visit Lincolnshire HER online...
Name:West Common, Lincoln
HER Number:MLI97529
Type of record:Monument

Summary

West Common was recognised as common land in the Enclosure Award of 1803, although it had been common land long before that. It has been used for agriculture, quarrying, leisure and military activities.

Grid Reference:SK 960 721
Map Sheet:SK97SE
Parish:CARHOLME, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Full description

PRN 71061
West Common was formally identified in the Enclosure Act of 1803, however it had likely been common land for a long time prior to that. Like many commons, land on West Common appears to have been used for a variety of purposes as well as providing pasture. Remains of narrow ridge and furrow cultivation of probable Napoleonic date are visible on areas of the common, indicating some arable use. Numerous quarrying earthworks are also visible, indicating small-scale quarrying at various times. The common has also been used for leisure activities including horse racing (see PRN 71060 and PRN 70953), cricket, football and golf. In 1907 the Royal Agricultural Show was held there, and other events such as fairs and gatherings may also have taken place. During the First World War it became an airfield (see PRN 71059) and in the Second World War anti-aircraft defences were constructed there (see PRN 70483). A hospital, swimming baths and brickworks are amongst the structures which have been built (although they are no longer present) on former areas of the common. {1}{2}{3}{5}


<1> Bowden, Mark; Brown, Graham; and Smith, Nicky, 2009, An Archaeology of Town Commons in England: 'A very fair field indeed', - (Bibliographic Reference). SLI12843.

<2> Walker, Andrew, 2008, Lincoln's West End: A History, - (Bibliographic Reference). SLI12844.

<3> Jones, Michael, J; Stocker, D.; and Vince, A., 2003, The City by the Pool including LARA, RAZ ID 11.15.1 (Bibliographic Reference). SLI9142.

<4> COLE, C., 1993-2002, InnerVisions Business Presentations, 246/0798/16 (Aerial Photograph). SLI181.

<5> English Heritage, 2003, Lincoln West Common: Survey Report, - (Report). SLI12890.

Monument Types

  • COMMON LAND (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD? to 2050 AD)
  • RIDGE AND FURROW (Post Medieval - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)

Associated Events

  • Earthwork survey of West Common, Lincoln

Protected Status

  • Conservation Area

Sources and further reading

<1>Bibliographic Reference: Bowden, Mark; Brown, Graham; and Smith, Nicky. 2009. An Archaeology of Town Commons in England: 'A very fair field indeed'. -.
<2>Bibliographic Reference: Walker, Andrew. 2008. Lincoln's West End: A History. -.
<3>Bibliographic Reference: Jones, Michael, J; Stocker, D.; and Vince, A.. 2003. The City by the Pool including LARA. RAZ ID 11.15.1.
<4>Aerial Photograph: COLE, C.. 1993-2002. InnerVisions Business Presentations. 246/0798/16.
<5>Report: English Heritage. 2003. Lincoln West Common: Survey Report. -.

Related records

MLI94021Related to: Racecourse Grandstand at West Common, Lincoln (Building)
MLI88827Related to: Second World War anti-aircraft defences on West Common, Lincoln (Monument)
MLI97527Related to: Site of Lincoln racecourse, West Common, Lincoln (Monument)
MLI97526Related to: Site of no. 4 Aeroplane Acceptance Park, West Common, Lincoln (Monument)

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.