Somerset ALSF NMP

The Somerset Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) NMP Project covers two of the aggregate mineral producing areas within the county of Somerset: an area of Limestone extraction in the Eastern Mendips and an area of the Burtle Beds in the Levels.  Mapping for these areas is being undertaken as part of the National Mapping Programme (NMP) by staff from Somerset County Council. So far, mapping has been completed for the Levels and a quarter of Eastern Mendips.  The survey is part of a multi-disciplinary project looking at a number of aggregate producing areas in Somerset, funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. Somerset is a county with varied topography and the project covers two contrasting landscapes: the upland East Mendip Hills and the lowland Levels.  The results of the aerial survey reflect this difference, but the effects of agricultural intensification in the medieval and post medieval periods has emerged as a general theme.

The East Mendip Hills
The East Mendip Hills have a landscape of undulating hills and are currently characterised by their large Limestone quarries and pastoral agriculture.  The survey area extends from Wells in the southwest to Frome in the northeast.  The survey has so far revealed a past of intensive arable farming in the medieval and post medieval periods.  The late 18th century to early 19th century was a period of land improvement and experimentation in the Mendips and this can be seen from the varied examples found by aerial survey of the upland version of the water meadow, the catchwork system, used to irrigate farmland.

The Somerset Levels
The Levels have a distinctive landscape consisting of peat moorland formed around raised rock islands capped with sand deposits.  The survey area includes Sowy Island on which the villages of Westonzoyland, Middlezoy and Othery are located and the surrounding peat moor.  The historic battlefield of Sedgemoor is in the north of the area.  The aerial survey results range from the Prehistoric to the Second World War.  On the area once occupied by Westonzoyland airfield, results from many of these periods can be seen together: from the remains of Bronze Age burial mounds to the Second World War airfield.

For further information on a project or any other aspect of the work of the Aerial Survey team please contact us at: AerialSurvey@english-heritage.org.uk.