Towns Field, Hebden

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Historical Environment Record No:
MYD36686
Parish:
Hebden
OS Grid Reference:
SE019629
Dale:
Lower Wharfedale
Related to:

Timeline

Themes

Description

Towns Field, Hebden MYD36686 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Towns Field, Hebden MYD36686 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Local historians have attempted to reconstruct the Medieval field patterns around Hebden using the evidence on the ground. It seems that most of the village’s crops were grown in a large communal field to the south west of the village. People living in the village cultivated a series of long narrow strips of land dotted around the larger communal field. Over the centuries, farmers in Hebden were allowed to buy their strips and eventually built walls around them. This can be clearly seen in Towns Field where the later walls have preserved the shapes of the slightly curving Medieval strips.

Source:

Joy, David (2002) Hebden. The History of a Dales Township. Hebden: Hebden History Group

Location

1) Walk down main street going south, then take the next turning on the right after Chapel Street , opposite the footpath to the suspension bridge. This lane passes the church then follow the footpath ahead signposted "FP to Linton and Grassington". This path crosses Towns Field after about 700 m. 2) Take B6265 west from Hebden for about 700 m. The fields are visible over the wall on left (south).

Public Transport Details

Nearest town/village: Hebden. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 to plan your journey. After the welcome message key in 885 for North Yorkshire information.

Accessibility

Three stone step stiles. Footpath is muddy and rough in places. The fields can be viewed from B6265 700 metres west of Hebden.The fields are visible over the wall on left (south), but note that there are no stopping places on the road.