Strip Lynchets

East of the village of Oare, and below the Giant’s Grave hillfort (see Martinsell Hill and the Giant’s Grave), is an example of Strip Lynchets, a medieval form of agricultural terracing.

Initially formed naturally by ploughing on a slope, where soil falling downhill from the plough-share formed a ridge, these ridges were then often consolidated into a series of terraces to facilitate cultivation.

Over the centuries they have been ploughed over or have fallen naturally into disrepair, but isolated examples like this one still exist. Further examples of Strip Lynchets can be seen on the escarpment running south of the Mid Wilts Way and north-east of Bishops Cannings.