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West Cotton is a deserted medieval village site in Northamptonshire comprising the earthwork remains of a nucleated settlement that developed during the medieval period. The site preserves evidence of domestic occupation, agricultural organisation, and field systems across an area that shows distinct phases of settlement and subsequent abandonment. Extensive archaeological investigation and excavation have revealed structural remains, including house platforms and evidence of medieval pottery and artefacts that illuminate rural settlement patterns in the East Midlands. The monument represents an important example of settlement desertion, a phenomenon that affected many English villages during the late medieval period, making West Cotton a significant site for understanding the social and economic changes that transformed the English countryside.
Medieval Settlement of West Cotton is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003636. View the official record →
West Cotton is a deserted medieval village site in Northamptonshire comprising the earthwork remains of a nucleated settlement that developed during the medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003636.
Medieval Settlement of West Cotton is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003636.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Irthlingborough bowl barrow, 760m west of Rutland Lodge (1.5 km), Raunds bowl barrow (2.2 km), Irthlingborough Bridge (2.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Medieval Settlement of West Cotton's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Medieval Settlement of West Cotton stands on Lias Group, bedrock that formed in the Aalenian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone, limestone and sandstone.