Monument record MDO5752 - Pond head, Holt
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Summary
An earthwork across the valley of a small stream, forming a dam. In 1975 this monument was reported as being 230 yards long, 75 feet wide and 14 feet high at its highest point. It no longer serves as a dam, as the stream flows in a channel through the earthworks, and was depicted as disused on a map of 1811. It is believed locally that the dam was constructed in the 18th century to form a duck decoy.
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
DAM (034046), called Pond Head, spans the valley of a small stream flowing S.E. It was already disused in 1811 (O.S. 1811) and its origin is unknown. The bank is 230 yds. long, 75 ft. wide and 14 ft. high at the centre. The stream now flows through a channel near the S.W. end of the earthwork. <2>
It is believed locally that the dam was built in the 18th century to create a pond for wild duck shooting. <3>
A map by Rychard Hardinge c.1600AD shows the dam and a large lake behind it. The stream is shown flowing past the north end of the dam. An estate map of 1774 by William Woodward shows that the pond is gone, but the dam is still shown. <4>
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SWX1540 Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Map 6in. 6 inch to 1 mile. 1890.
- <2> SDO129 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1975. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East). 34.
- <3> SWX1169 Unpublished document: Swatridge, G C. Various. Field Investigators Comments GCS. F1 GCS 25-MAR-54.
- <3.1> SDO19719 Verbal communication: Wakefield, G H. Oral: G H Wakefield, Cutlers Farm, Gaunts Common.
- <4> SDO19468 Unpublished document: Hanks, Nick. An Historic Assessment of Holt Forest and Holt Wood for English Nature.
- <5>XY SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 213158. [Mapped feature: #635752 ]
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SU 0340 0461 (134m by 176m) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | SU00SW |
| Civil Parish | Holt; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 3 012 030
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SU 00 SW 3
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 213158
- Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Holt 30
Record last edited
Apr 7 2023 7:41AM