Monument record MBC47888 - Drainage ditches south east of Bishopstone, Stone with Bishopstone and Hartwell

Ditches of probable post medieval date are visible on historic aerial photographs and remote sensing data as extant earthworks and were mapped as part of the Aylesbury Vale Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18604). Located south east of Bishopstone, Stone with Bishopstone and Hartwell, and centred at SP 81152 10263. These drainage ditches are between areas of ridge and furrow earthworks between Standal’s Farm and the village of Bishopstone. The underlying geology is Lower Greensand and the soils are classified as free-draining so the location of the ditches is a little unusual but they are present along a line of alluvium and waterlogged soils to the west which is also followed by a footpath on the north side of the ditches and a long narrow field, joining with the main road in to the village. These ditches may be necessary because of this area of land being in between two areas of soils with impeded drainage and the lack of ridge and furrow earthworks explained by the free-draining soils. (1-2)