Land at Thorneythwaite Farm, Borrowdale, Cumbria - Historic Landscape Survey Report

In December 2016, following the purchase of the Thorneythwaite Farm landholding (centred
NY 248 132), the National Trust commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to
produce a landscape history of the property. This was to establish the presence and condition
of the archaeological resource, and inform the development of a conservation management
strategy. Borrowdale had been subject to a landscape survey by OA North (2007), though this
did not include Thorneythwaite. This project will therefore provide an updated record of the
National Trust landholdings in the valley. The work was undertaken between December 2016
and March 2017.
The project comprised two parts: a desk-based assessment; and landscape reconnaissance and
field survey. This latter included aerial photographic modelling of an enclosed settlement
identified close to the present farm (Site 15), whilst the desk-based assessment collected and
analysed the documentary and cartographic sources relating to Thorneythwaite.