More information : (Centred TL 33203966) A series of small enclosures known as the Hopscotch, probably of "British origin". (1)
Probably medieval or later pennings. The enclosure consists of a low bank with outer ditch subdivided by definitely made banks, not lynchets. (2)
The Hopscotch (local name). A connected series of banked and ditched enclosures situated in a combe between Pen Hills and Church Hill on Therfield Heath. The enclosures cover an area of circa 200.0 m EW by circa 35.0 m NS.
The banks were formed by upcast from either side, and slight traces remain of some of the ditches. Mutilation by golf course features has destroyed or reduced the banks in many places and they nowhere exceed a height of 0.4 m. The remains show no trace of entrances.
It is probable that these enclosures are Medieval cattle or deer pens. Resurveyed at 1:2500. (3)
(TL 3320 3966) In November 1992, RCHME's Cambridge Office carried out an analytical earthwork survey of Therfield Heath, as a training project for new members of staff (4-5). The monument known locally as The (Devil's) Hopscotch comprises of a series of contiguous rectangular enclosures, arranged E-W in linear fashion for 200m and contained within a downland combe at 100m OD. The monument is now partially overlain by Royston Golf Course.
Individually the enclosures range in size from 20 x 20m to 60 x 35m. The banks show no trace of entrances leading from one enclosure to the next possibly suggesting that the banks were surmounted by fences. The Hopscotch is made up of several separate elements which may reflect phases in its development.
Traces of a small building and a terraced field were found to the NW of the Hopscotch and there was also some suggestion of surface quarrying for chalk or flint within one of the enclosures. The most likely explanation for the enclosures is that they represent sheep enclosures probably dating to the medieval (or possibly later) period.
For further details, see RCHME Level 3 client report and plans at 1:500 and 1:2500 scales, held in Archive. (4-8)
The rectilinear enclosure complex of probable medieval date is visible as earthworks on air photographs centred at TL 3318 3967. Mostly likely stock pens, the enclosures appear to be appended to one-another in a west to east alignment, suggesting phased development as stated in the RCHME survey of the Therfield Heath. The aerial evidence suggests the complex might have started with the western-most embanked enclosure, which measures 60m by 38m internally and is approached by a broad shallow hollow way to north. The hollow way leads straight to a probable entrance in the north face of this enclosure, and a small building platform stands adjacent to this. A further five small enclosures appear to have been appended to the east of this one, in at least three phases. The entire complex measures 196m by 44m at the widest points, and although the embanked and ditched enclosures are now much denuded they remain extant on the on the latest 2013 vertical photography.
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