MMO2463 - Possible medieval lynchets north and south of Oak Lane (Monument)

A number of possible medieval lynchets are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks in woods to the north and south of Oak Lane, Withycombe. At ST 0080 4036, within Shiner's Wood two banks are visible, one slightly curvilinear and measuring 97 metres in length, and the second straight and measuring 75 metres. Both banks run approximately northeast to southwest, following the contours of the slope. At ST 0062 4029 in Baker's Wood, a sinuous lynchet is visible, again running northeast to southwest along the contours, and measuring 230 metres long and up to 7 metres wide. At ST 0054 4003, two curvilinear lynchets are visible, following the same alignment and measuring 126 metres each. The area is shown as deciduous woodland on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map, suggesting this area had not been cultivated for quite some time prior to the publication of the map in 1888. Medieval strip fields and lynchets are visible in several areas around Withycombe, suggesting that the area was extensively cultivated in the medieval period. [1-3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4]