Historic Landscape Characterisation descriptions
HLC descriptions - Types relating to agricultural enclosures
A rare surviving example of the unenclosed strips of a medieval open field or outfield
These narrow, curving strip-enclosures derive from the enclosure of open-field strips with hedge-banks during the later middle ages
Medieval enclosures based on strip fields
This area was probably first enclosed with hedge-banks during the later middle ages. The curving form of the hedge-banks suggests that earlier it may have been farmed as open strip-fields
Fields probably first enclosed with hedge-banks during the middle ages
This area may have been managed as valley-bottom watermeadows in the late medieval and/or post-medieval periods
This area was probably watermeadows in the late medieval and/or post-medieval periods, and has changed little in the C20th
These relatively large, regular enclosures seem likely to have been laid out between C15th-C18th. Some curving boundaries may be following earlier divisions in the pre-existing medieval fields. In Cornwall these are sometimes called Barton fields
Post-medieval strip-enclosures
Unusual long narrow enclosures, probably of the post-medieval period, whose boundaries follow divisions in the earlier medieval open field
Post-medieval enclosures with medieval elements
These enclosures are probably based on medieval fields, but the many straight field boundaries suggest they were substantially re-organised in the post-medieval period
Enclosures of post-medieval date. Fields laid out in the C18th and C19th commonly have many surveyed dead-straight field boundaries
Post-medieval enclosures from rough ground
These post-medieval enclosures have probably been created out of earlier rough grazing ground, heathland or moorland
A distinctive post-medieval type of watermeadow incorporating a system of leats and channels. These were common in C19th Devon, particularly around Exmoor, in the Exe Valley, and in the South Hams
Orchards planted with fruit trees
This area was once an orchard planted with fruit trees, but these have been lost in the C20th
These modern enclosures have replaced a different type of earlier landuse
Modern enclosures adapting medieval fields
These modern fields have been created out of probable medieval enclosures. The sinuous medieval boundaries survive in places
Modern enclosures adapting post-medieval fields
Modern enclosures that have been created by adapting earlier fields of probable post-medieval date
Modern enclosures from rough ground
These modern enclosures have been created out of earlier rough grazing ground, heathland or moorland in the C20th
Modern enclosures replacing industrial
These modern enclosures replace an earlier historic industrial complex. Earthworks or other remains may be visible
Modern enclosures replacing parkland
These modern enclosures replace an earlier area of historic parkland, elements of which may be retained within them
Modern enclosures replacing postmed watermeadow
Modern enclosures have replaced post-medieval watermeadows here. These were once common in Devon but are now very rarely used
Modern enclosures replacing woodland
Modern enclosures have replaced earlier woodland here
Modern enclosures replacing medieval watermeadow
Modern enclosures have probably replaced medieval watermeadows on the valley bottom
Market gardening, glasshouses, allotments or nurseries
The character of this area has changed significantly in the C20th, and its earlier character is presently uncertain
