Ridge and Furrow Fields

A number of fields in Slimbridge have a ridged appearance - these are “Ridge and Furrow” fields which gained their shape through repeated use of non-reversible ploughs pulled by Oxen in the Middle Ages (up to the 17th Century) and remain where the fields have reverted to grassland and have not since been ploughed by modern ploughs. The height could have been up to 2 feet/600 mm and possibly cultivated by one family. These photos show Ridge and Furrow marking on the Glebe Fields and on the reclaimed “New Grounds” on which the WWT has been established. Wikipedia provides more detail. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridge_and_furrow