Monument record 0678600000 - WICKEN PARK COPSE, LECKHAMPSTEAD

Park Copse was included in the Woodlands of Northamptonshire Archaeological Survey in 2000. The wood was once part of the much larger Whittlewood Forest recorded as 'Whittlewuda' in about 1130. It is likely that the wood was divided into discrete blocks ranging from about 30-80 acres, with access routes and spaces designed to manage the forest for timber, grazing and deer hunting. Acts of Parliament in 1824 and 1853 led to the inclosure of the forest and its division amongst local landowners. As a result large areas were grubbed up and converted to arable and Park Copse has become isolated. Vegetation regrowth hampered the survey but the substantial boundary bank was visible along the western edge of the copse, but road has damaged nost of he northern bank and the southern edge is not an encient boundary. (1).