The Isle of Axholme, which rises to 40m above OD in places, was bounded on the east by the river Trent, to the west by the North Idle and river Don, and to the south by the Bycarrsdyke, an artificial channel cut from the river Idle to the Trent at West Stockwith. Bycarrsdike was most likely cut prior to the end of the Roman period. The relationship of the Turnbridgedike and the Bycarrsdike to the Fossdike suggests that each served as links in a unitary system. It is reasonable to conclude that the Bycarrsdike and the Turnbridgedike were built to serve a common purpose which ceased to exist after the departure of the Romans. Roman artefacts including coins of the Emperor Vespasian have been discovered beside the Turnbridgedike, and the Bycarrsdike was mentioned in the Domesday Survey. (1)
Bycardike clearly shown linking the River Idle at Idlestop, with the River Trent at Stockwith. (2)
Bycars Dike called ‘Bigredic’ in the Domesday Book of 1086. (3)
Possibly a natural feature that served as a political boundary between the early medieval Kingdoms of Lindsey and Mercia that has been modified in the post-medieval period. (4)
Grid ref centred at the east end of the dyke

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

1 colour print, Cole C, 332/0301/2a

<1> Railway and Canal Hist Soc, 1995, Journal, pp 522-31 (Published document). SNT1797.

<2> Kelk, G, 1773, A Map of the low grounds in Stockwith, Misterton… (Map). SNT1798.

Other Refs: Map 236, SMR

<3> Gover, Mawer & Stenton, 1940, Place Names of Nottinghamshire, p 1 (Published document). SNT670.

<4> Bishop MW, 2005, Comment on Bycarrs Dyke - no report (Personal comment). SNT1799.