England's Historic Seascapes: Withernsea to Skegness
Museum of London Archaeology, 2010. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000104. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Historic England unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
David
Bowsher
Director of Research
Museum of London Archaeology
Mortimer Wheeler House
46 Eagle Wharf Road
London
N1 7ED
UK
Tel: 020 7410 2285
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 935
- ALSF Project Number: 4730
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000104
- How to cite using this DOI
Isle of Axholme Character Area
Present Day Form
The Isle of Axholme is an inland area, situated at Trent Falls, in the Humberhead Levels at the eastern most extent of the study area. The character area comprises the now dry land area of Axholme and also the confluence area of the Rivers Trent and Ouse.The Geology of the area is chalk and boulder clay overlain by deep deposits of alluvium.
Sea Use: Present
The area is predominantly characterised by flood defence and reclamation. Most of the land on the Isle of Axholme was reclaimed during the post-medieval period. Prior to this time the landscape consisted of a series of islands containing small medeival settlements in a wide slat marsh area. The land is prone to flooding and used mainly for agricultural purposes. Much of the northern part of the Isle has flat topography with rich farmland and is used mainly to grow wheat and sugar beet. The land is particularly fertile due to its history of flooding and contains peaty soil due to the dense ancient woodland that used to cover much of the Isle. Petrified wood is often found at about 6ft below ground which is a relic from this woodland, locally called "Bog oaks".
The key settlements in the area that have historic maritime character are Garthorpe, Luddington and Adlingfleet. All three villages were founded in the medieval period on areas of dry land and grew up due to their proximity to the river confluence and nearby Humber Estuary. Garthorpe is barely above sea level and is about 1 mile from the tidal river Trent. It is protected by large levies. It is the site of a previous ferry crossing.
The watercourses of the Isle and the surrounding area are managed by the Isle of Axholme Internal Drainage Board which maintains 302km of watercourse and 18 pumping stations. The Internal Drainage Board also provides water level management to the adjacent Thorne Moors and the Hatfield Moors, both environmentally sensitive areas.
The area contains the confluence of the Rivers Trent and Ouse, both of which are important seasonal trout, salmon and eel fishing areas. The rivers are accessed by boats coming up the Humber Estuary but this kind of industry is fairly low level. The area is more important for its nature reserves. The Blacktoft Sands nature reserve extends into the character area.
Sea Use: Past
The name Isle is given to the area since, prior to the area being drained by the Dutchman Cornelius Vermuyden in the 17th century, each town or village formerly lay on areas of dry, raised ground in the surrounding marshland. The River Don used to flow to the north and west (it has since been diverted), dividing the Isle from Yorkshire.
Cornelius Vermuyden initiated the realignment of several of the highland carriers flowing through the district allowing increased agricultural production. This early agricultural activity has left a legacy in the unique strip farming which is still in existence in the area.
The village of Garthorpe had a boat ferry across the River Trent until 1917.
Archaeological Potential
The area has potential for Prehistoric archaeology onwards. In particular it has potential for post-medieval archaeology relating to the drainage technology that was applied to the area in the 17th century.
Character Perceptions
The area is perceived as being an agricultural area but one that has strong maritime connections. The idea that the villages are founded on a series of islands and that the area is prone to inundation by the nearby Estuary is still a strong one in the area.
References
http://www.isleofaxholme.co.uk/
http://www.oldtowns.co.uk/Lincolnshire/axholme.htm
