Old Thornley medieval settlement, open field system and hollow way, 110m north of Thornley Hall Farm

Scheduled area

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History & significance

Old Thornley medieval settlement is a scheduled ancient monument comprising the remains of a medieval village with associated open field agriculture and a hollow way, located in County Durham. The settlement, which dates to the medieval period, is evidenced by earthwork features including the sunken lane (hollow way) created by repeated use over centuries, together with ridge and furrow cultivation patterns characteristic of the open field system that would have supported the community. The site represents the physical infrastructure of a medieval agrarian settlement, preserving in its topography the layout of former dwelling plots and the agricultural landscape that sustained the village. Such settlements and their field systems are crucial to understanding medieval rural society and land use in northern England before agricultural reorganisation in later centuries.

Old Thornley medieval settlement, open field system and hollow way, 110m north of Thornley Hall Farm is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1019914. View the official record →

Questions & answers

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