The purpose of the project is to undertake a survey of a complex of remains of structures on Ireby Fell (SD665 762) between approximately the 200 and 240 metre contours bounded to the south and west by a very obvious ditch and bank crossing the fell with another much less obvious ditch and bank bounding the north and east.It has been suggested that these ditch and bank features are the medieval remains of a deer park enclosure and a boundary to a chase respectively.The GPS survey below was carried out in Spring 2004 with a very basic handset. Additional features found since the survey are indicated as well.




The area has been stinted ground but never enclosed and therefore has been unimproved over the centuries. There has been some sporting use in the past two hundred years with the remains of shooting butts clearly visible but there are also several much larger circular/elliptical remains scattered on the ground with associated walls and trackways. There is also a substantial rectilinear structure (with apparently associated curved enclosures,) hidden in the reeds on the fell. To the north of the area at the 350 metre contour there is an area tentatively identified by Mary Higham (in a survey that she undertook jointly with Jamie Quartermaine,) as a medieval shieling. The conclusion is that Ireby Fell shows evidence of multiperiod occupancy.


The survey is being carried out in two phases. The first phase is to produce an accurate map of the relative positions of the remains using IAG's total station and Penmap sortware. The individual remains will be planned using traditional tape methods and digitised with the final survey being produced as an interactive map.

Both phases have been begun but interrupted by the atrocious summer weather.