Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Lower Newton Hill

Now known as the lower northern slope of Summerhouse Hill

 

Lower Newton Hill (Parcel 814) was a large field on the lower northern slopes of Newton Hill (although today we tend to call it Summerhouse Hill), adjoining the Newton Surmaville Estate. The fact that this field has been farmed since ancient times is witnessed by the lynchets carved across its slopes (see Gallery).

At the time of the 1846 Tithe Apportionment, Lower Newton Hill was owned by George Harbin and let to William Pope as part of Newton Farm. It was recorded as pasture for grazing livestock and measured 16a 2r 0p.

Lower Newton Hill (Parcel 811) was bordered to the west by Dodham Brook, to the north by Under Newton Hill (Parcel 812), to the east by Hollow Close (Parcel 819) and to the south by Higher Newton Hill (Parcel 815).

Today, the three parcels of the former Lower Newton Hill is what we would today call the lower western slopes of Summerhouse Hill.

For details on historic land measurement (ie acres, roods and perches) click here.

 

This map, based on the descriptions in the 1589 Terrier and the 1846 Tithe Map of Yeovil shows the approximate boundaries of the Manors of Kingston and Hendford as well as the manorial three-field system used in Kingston.

 

The 1842 Tithe Map showing the Newton Surmaville Estate shaded mid-green and the parcels of Newton Farm shaded light green. Lower Newton Hill (Parcel 814) is at the top, left of centre.

 

 

This photograph features in my book 'Secret Yeovil'.

The legacy of Medieval farming practices - the remains of lynchets in Lower Newton Hill (Parcel 814) on the northern flank of Newton Hill (Summerhouse Hill). Photographed in 2016.