Open Fields of Laxton - Day Walk

Apart from being in pleasant and unspoilt countryside, the main feature of this walk is that it enables you to view a unique landscape, that of the open field system of farming, which preceded the agricultural changes of the 18th century and only survives around Laxton.

Our walk will begin in Laxton and we'll start with a spin round the village to see earthworks of some medieval fish ponds before seeing the nicely situated and quite handsome medieval church of St Michael the Archangel, on our route out the village we'll see the remains of Laxton Castle, which has the largest motte in Nottinghamshire at 22 meters high and 37 meters across the top.  A commanding home for the once hereditary Keeper of Sherwood Forest in the 12th century. 

Onwards, we move into West Field, which I understand since at least 1857 has also been known as 'Top Field!'  A huge open space, laid out in strips with no hedges between them.  We'll follow Roebuck Syke (pronounced "six"), one of many areas in the open fields that have been uncultivated for hundreds of years, some of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), at the far end we'll find Egmanton, where hopefully we'll find refreshment at The Old Plough Inn.

On our return route we'll see South Field, which I understand has been known as Bottom Field since the 1890's.  Finally we'll see the middle and third field agricultural rotation, Mill Field (and before your ask, no, this one is not known as Vers, so far as I'm aware).

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Image Credits: All images taken by the event leader with permission for ODL use.