Houghton-le-Spring, Dairy Lane, Rectory Field

HER Number:
16201

District:
Sunderland

Site Name:
Houghton-le-Spring, Dairy Lane, Rectory Field

Place:
Houghton-le-Spring

Map Sheet:
NZ34NW

Class:
Agriculture and Subsistence

Site Type: Broad:
Land Use Site

Site Type: Specific:
Field

General Period:
Post Medieval

Specific Period:
C18

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
To the west of Rectory Park (HER8935) is Rectory Field. Historically this area formed part of the Glebe Farm (HER8799). The field is referred to as 'wall nook' on both the Dixon plan of 1774 and the 1838 tithe apportionment where it is under the tenancy of Thomas Bellerby. Bellerby also farmed North Wall Nook, the open area to the north of the rectory boundary. Wall Nook is recorded as grassland in 1838 and there is no visible evidence of any preserved ridge and furrow which might suggest the area was never cultivated although the ground is heavily disturbed each year by the Houghton Feast. Nevertheless it has remained undisturbed/undeveloped since the medieval period.

Easting:
3388

Northing:
4978

Grid Reference:
NZ33884978

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Northern Archaeological Associates Ltd. 2014, Rectory Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Archaeological Assessment and Building Recording; J Dixon, 1774, Glebe Map (DUSC Add MS 1676 (1774)); Houghton Tithe Plan, 1838 (DUSC)