Scheduled MonumentsEnglandPortland open fields

Portland open fields

England
List entry 1002729
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Portland open fields is a set of relict field systems located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. The fields represent medieval and post-medieval agricultural land use patterns, preserving evidence of the historical organisation of arable and pastoral cultivation on the island. The field boundaries, which survive as earthworks and in some cases as physical divisions of the landscape, demonstrate the characteristic layout of open field agriculture that would have characterised Portland's rural economy during the medieval period and beyond. These field systems are of archaeological significance as they provide material evidence of long-term patterns of land use and settlement on an island with distinctive topographical and economic constraints.

Portland open fields is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002729. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Portland open fields?

Portland open fields is a set of relict field systems located on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002729.

Who is responsible for protecting Portland open fields?

Portland open fields 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 1002729.

What other scheduled monuments are near Portland open fields?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Mesolithic sites near Culver Well (0.3 km), Portland Bill stone loading quay (1.3 km), Rufus Castle (1.8 km).

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