Stainfield Fen

Downs, Moorland in Lincolnshire West Lindsey

England

Stainfield Fen

Barlings Abbey ruins The last remaining fragment of the Praemonstratensian Abbey founded 1154, surrounded by extensive earthworks, fishponds and smaller stone fragments. Grade I listed scheduled monument.
Barlings Abbey ruins Credit: Richard Croft

Stainfield Fen, located in Lincolnshire, is a picturesque area that encompasses a combination of downs and moorland. Known for its natural beauty and diverse ecosystem, this region offers a unique experience for visitors and nature enthusiasts alike.

The downs in Stainfield Fen are characterized by gently rolling hills covered in lush green grasses. These open spaces provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and serve as a haven for various plant and animal species. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks or hikes along the well-maintained trails that wind through the downs, taking in the tranquil atmosphere and observing the abundant wildlife.

On the other hand, the moorland in Stainfield Fen offers a stark contrast with its rugged terrain and heather-covered hills. This type of landscape is associated with acidic soils and peat bogs, creating a distinct habitat for unique flora and fauna. Moorland birds such as curlews, lapwings, and red grouse can often be spotted here, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

In addition to its natural beauty, Stainfield Fen also boasts historical significance. The remains of ancient settlements and burial sites have been discovered in the area, shedding light on the region's rich cultural heritage.

Overall, Stainfield Fen provides a captivating blend of downs and moorland, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while exploring its diverse ecosystems and appreciating its historical past.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Stainfield Fen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.237161/-0.35627368 or Grid Reference TF0972. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Barlings Abbey ruins The last remaining fragment of the Praemonstratensian Abbey founded 1154, surrounded by extensive earthworks, fishponds and smaller stone fragments. Grade I listed scheduled monument.
Barlings Abbey ruins
The last remaining fragment of the Praemonstratensian Abbey founded 1154, surrounded by extensive earthworks, fishponds and smaller stone fragments. Grade I listed scheduled monument.
Barlings Abbey ruins The last remaining fragment of the Praemonstratensian Abbey founded 1154, surrounded by extensive earthworks, fishponds and smaller stone fragments. Grade I listed scheduled monument.
Barlings Abbey ruins
The last remaining fragment of the Praemonstratensian Abbey founded 1154, surrounded by extensive earthworks, fishponds and smaller stone fragments. Grade I listed scheduled monument.
Barlings grotesque A 14th century label stop for a vault springer in the ruins of Barlings Abbey <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7001830" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7001830">Link</a>
Barlings grotesque
A 14th century label stop for a vault springer in the ruins of Barlings Abbey Link
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (1) See: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and (upstanding remains): <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation.

Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings.

Cropmark in foreground could be part of the original foortprint of the Priory.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (1)
See: LinkExternal link and (upstanding remains): LinkExternal link Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation. Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings. Cropmark in foreground could be part of the original foortprint of the Priory.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (2) See: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and (upstanding remains): <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation.

Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (2)
See: LinkExternal link and (upstanding remains): LinkExternal link Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation. Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (4) See: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and (upstanding remains): <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation.

Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (4)
See: LinkExternal link and (upstanding remains): LinkExternal link Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation. Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (1) See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface.

The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type.  These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (1)
See LinkExternal link The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface. The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type. These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (2) See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface.

The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type.  These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (2)
See LinkExternal link The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface. The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type. These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (3) See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface.

The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type.  These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (3)
See LinkExternal link The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface. The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type. These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (4) with Stainfield Stainfield in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF1073">TF1073</a>.

Barrow cemetery:

See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI50187&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface.

The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type.  These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings and Stainfield Barrow Cemetery: aerial 2021 (4) with Stainfield
Stainfield in TF1073. Barrow cemetery: See LinkExternal link The western scheduled area consists of four bowl barrows (maximum extent 130m by 70m). It is probable that all four mounds are encircled by ditches which survive as buried features, although no trace of these are visible on the surface. The eastern scheduled area (300m to the east) includes 11 round barrows of varying type. These earthworks are marked by circular areas of lighter sandy soil, some of them still slightly mounded, which are visible from the ground and from the air. The mounds were encircled by ditches which have become infilled but survive as buried features.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (4) with Barlings village Barlings village in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF0774">TF0774</a>.

See: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI54215&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and (upstanding remains): <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MLI96528&resourceID=1006">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation.

Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings.

Cropmark in foreground could be part of the original foortprint of the Priory.
Barlings Priory Site: aerial 2021 (4) with Barlings village
Barlings village in TF0774. See: LinkExternal link and (upstanding remains): LinkExternal link Premonstratensian house founded 1154. Only part standing above ground is the NW pier of the crossing with a short length of wall between the nave and the N transept. This has nice c13 detail. The remainder of the site is unencumbered, being rough pasture, and it is possible that the whole ground could be recovered. No record can be found of any excavation. Large area of earthworks and the NW pier and a short length of wall still standing; decoration on the wall is very similar to that in Southwell Minster chapter house. Other pieces of medieval masonry can be seen reused in the walls of the nearby cottage and its out-buildings. Cropmark in foreground could be part of the original foortprint of the Priory.
Long Wood Some felling has taken place giving the wood a somewhat trashed look.
Long Wood
Some felling has taken place giving the wood a somewhat trashed look.
Partly flooded field near Short Ferry
Partly flooded field near Short Ferry
Tracks in a muddy field The Bridleway at this point became very muddy and impassable.
Tracks in a muddy field
The Bridleway at this point became very muddy and impassable.
Public Bridleway across field This well marked Bridleway does not actually follow the line on the map, but the  path cuts straight across the field.
Public Bridleway across field
This well marked Bridleway does not actually follow the line on the map, but the path cuts straight across the field.
Farm track near Glebe Farm Looking towards the River Witham.
Farm track near Glebe Farm
Looking towards the River Witham.
A bend in the South Delph The drainage channel running parallel to the River Witham bends nearly 90 degrees to the north west of Short Ferry.
A bend in the South Delph
The drainage channel running parallel to the River Witham bends nearly 90 degrees to the north west of Short Ferry.
The Water Rail Way The mostly straight path follows the alignment of the River Witham and South Delph between Lincoln and Bardney.
The Water Rail Way
The mostly straight path follows the alignment of the River Witham and South Delph between Lincoln and Bardney.
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Stainfield Fen is located at Grid Ref: TF0972 (Lat: 53.237161, Lng: -0.35627368)

Administrative County: Lincolnshire

District: West Lindsey

Police Authority: Lincolnshire

What 3 Words

///fruits.buffoon.afford. Near Bardney, Lincolnshire

Nearby Locations

Stainfield Fen

Related Wikis

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.237161,-0.35627368
Stainfield Fen
Place: locality
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 53.2375286/-0.3547217
Short Ferry Farm
Place: farm
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 53.2349307/-0.3603505
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 53.2335957/-0.3607452
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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