MSO8327 - Possible bowling green east of Timberscombe (Monument)

"Bowling Green" is marked on the 6 inch map of 1962 and shown as a square enclosure. [1] Low banks have been noted on aerial photographs. [2,3] A square enclosure, most likely post-medieval, on Timberscombe Common is depicted on both the 1st Edition and modern Ordnance Survey maps, and annotated "Bowling Green." Centred at approximately SS 9647 4206, the enclosure measures 115 metres long by 85 metres high. It lies next to the main pathway from Timberscombe across the common. Several low banks are also visible on aerial photographs in the immediate vicinity, but do not appear to form a coherent pattern. They are mostly concentrated south of the enclosure, varying in length from 10 metres to 100 metres, and up to 6 metres in width. The banks may represent a medieval or post-medieval attempt to enclose the common, but this is not certain. The square enclosure lies on a slope and is shown as afforested on both maps; it is therefore unlikely to be a bowling green in the true sense. However, its precise function remains unclear. [4-6] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [7] The feature is shown on the Tithe Maps for Timberscombe and Carhampton Parish. It is subdivided into three sections, roughly east to west. The northernmost part is within Carhampton Parish and is labelled 1081a, which is described as "Inclosure from Kitswall Common". The southern two sections are within Timberscombe and are labelled 369 and 370; these are both labelled "Garden on the Hill". [8,9]