Wooded hills historic information

Mixture of piecemeal enclosure, enclosure of areas of former open fields, and modern fields. Some asserting, and surviving fragments of open ground. Areas of former open fields generally larger than in e.g. Undulating River Valley. This could be evidence of more deliberate planned enclosure (by landowners, larger tenants, or organised groups of tenants) but may simply reflect the general character of the landscape, with larger villages surrounded by larger areas of open field. Scattered woodland. Some small survivals of older woodland, often coppice, and larger areas of plantation, generally fir, reflecting probable twentieth-century forestry, perhaps in areas of former ancient woodland.

Known archaeology

Woodland archaeology poorly recorded in Dorset. The nature of woodland makes recognition and survey difficult. However, older areas of woodland are likely to conceal surviving earthwork features of prehistoric and later date, as well as more ephemeral features associated with the management and exploitation of the woodland itself over time. We have some records of coppice stands, veteran trees etc but they are very few. Another area where research is required.