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HER Number:MDV80698
Name:Curvilinear Enclosure, Woolfardisworthy

Summary

Curvilinear enclosure visible on 1880s-1890s Ordnance Survey map, which is thought to enclose an early medieval field system.

Location

Grid Reference:SS 326 211
Map Sheet:SS32SW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishWoolfardisworthy (North Devon)
DistrictTorridge
Ecclesiastical ParishWOOLFARDISWORTHY

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • CURVILINEAR ENCLOSURE (Post Roman to Saxon - 410 AD (Between) to 1065 AD (Between))
  • ENCLOSED FIELD SYSTEM (Post Roman to Saxon - 410 AD (Between) to 1065 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Curvilinear enclosure is visible.

Green, T., 2000, Early Enclosures in a Landscape of Dispersed Settlement: An Examination of Patterns Detected in the Field Boundaries of North Devon and West Somerset, 3, 38, 39 (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV347809.

A close examination of the Ordnance Survey First Edition 25 inch map and the 1840s tithe maps of part of the south-western region of England reveals, within the field-patterns, curving boundaries which appear to form enclosures. These 'curvilinear enclosures' become nuclei in the development of local field-patterns, hence they may be thought to pre-date that which surrounds them. Settlement closely associated with these enclosures may therefore also be suspected to have an early origin.

Woolfardisworthy enclosure is associated with larger (or high status) settlements. Map object based on this Source.

Ordnance Survey, 2011, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV346129.

Curvilinear enclosure is visible.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV346129Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2011. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #107484 ]
SDV347809Post-Graduate Thesis: Green, T.. 2000. Early Enclosures in a Landscape of Dispersed Settlement: An Examination of Patterns Detected in the Field Boundaries of North Devon and West Somerset. University of Exeter. A4 Stapled + Digital. 3, 38, 39.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV6938 - Desk Based Assessment and Historic Building Recorded of the Manor House Complex and Farmers Arms, Woolsery (Ref: 150415)

Date Last Edited:Feb 12 2026 5:04PM