Little Smeaton medieval village and rabbit warrens, immediately south east of Westhorpe Hall

Scheduled area

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History & significance

Little Smeaton is a deserted medieval village located in Yorkshire, England. The site encompasses the remains of a medieval settlement together with associated rabbit warrens, which date to the medieval period and represent a form of land management and food production that was practised on the estate. The earthworks visible at the site include the characteristic ridge-and-furrow patterns of medieval agricultural strips alongside the distinctive linear features of the warrens. The village's abandonment reflects the broader pattern of medieval settlement desertion that affected many Yorkshire communities, particularly during the later medieval period, and the subsequent appropriation of the land for rabbit farming reflects the economic priorities of post-medieval landowners.

Little Smeaton medieval village and rabbit warrens, immediately south east of Westhorpe Hall is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1018690. View the official record →

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