Monument record MDO2191 - Bardolfeston, Puddletown

The remains of the deserted medieval village of Bardolfeston are visible as earthworks on lidar imagery of 2010 to the north of Athelhampton.

The 6.0 ha. Of the surviving and scheduled part of Bardolfeston deserted Medieval village are unusually well preserved (see plan). Some 27 houses and buildings are identifiable alongside or near the main NE to SW hollow way, which is from 0.5m. to 2.0m. deep. Another dozen buildings in the western part of the area, detached from any recognisable roadway, incorporate one distinct unit group at SY 76519469. The buildings vary in appearance from levelled platforms to turf covered banks up to 0.6m. High. Limitations imposed by the scale preclude the portrayal of some slight subdivisions single and opposing entrance gaps. Numerous rectilinear closes, from .03 to 0.2 ha. In extent, are normally enclosed by low banks or scarps 0.2m. To 0.5m. High. Occasionally there are traces of subdivision and, rarely, internal buildings. The village clearly extended further to the S. into an area now occupied by water-meadows, and also to the W., at present arable. The traditional position of the church is perpetuated by the name 'Church Knap' on the O.S. 25" 1955 and by a scarp at SY 76629455. The R.C.H.M. record a rectangular area about 50m. To the N. and have a siting symbol for the possible church at SY 76609461, but all features have now been obliterated by the spreading of upcast from an adjacent and newly constructed wildfowl pond. Surveyed at 1:2500 on M.S.D. <3> The remains of the deserted medieval village of Bardolfeston are visible as earthworks on lidar imagery of 2010 to the north of Athelhampton. The earthworks comprise numerous building platforms arranged around ditched trackways and boundary banks. The village remains are visible over an area measuring approximately 420 m by 250 m. <5> This feature was digitally plotted during the Wild Purbeck Mapping Project.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2023 7:55AM