Farthing Downs
Farthing
Downs is a relic agricultural and pastoral
landscape, having been grazed by livestock brought
on from the surrounding farmland for hundreds of
years. Farthing Downs has a long history of human
activity and has several nationally important archaeological
features. Past excavations have revealed fragments of
Neolithic pottery and an Iron Age pit. The site
received Scheduled Monument status in 1948.
A prehistoric
fieldway (trackway) predates the Celtic field system described
by archaeologists. There is also a mid-seventh-century
early Anglo-Saxon cemetery of fourteen to fifteen barrows
(burial mounds) and nine flat grave burials.
The Downs were virtually treeless until scrub started spreading
after 1930, its growth continuing unchecked during the Second World
War. Extensive areas of scrub were cleared in the late 1960s,
although some patches were left and form mature clumps today.
New Hill
In the 18th century New
Hill was divided into 12 open fields. The rich grassland
flora on the upper slope of Eight and Ten Acre fields suggests
these areas were not cultivated, sprayed or fertilised.
However, we know from photographs that fields on the slopes of
New Hill facing Farthing Downs were ploughed from World War II
until 1962.
New Hill was bought for housing development in the 1930s and
bulldozers carved out the route of two roads before the outbreak of
war in 1939 halted progress. After the war, New Hill was
designated Metropolitan Green Belt, ensuring it remained
undeveloped.
Veteran trees
There are notable trees on the site, represented mainly by
boundary trees as well as mature coppice and maiden trees located
in relic shaws, shelter belts and hedgerows. The lines of old
yew trees on the western and eastern boundaries are an important
feature. Some of these trees may be veterans.