This is a fairly broad category of earthwork which includes all those recorded as ‘holloway’, ‘hollow’, ‘depression’, ‘ditch’, ‘linear hollow’, and ‘linear depression’. Interpretation of most of these could not be offered beyond a basic description of the character of the earthwork. Some were recorded as either ‘v’ or ‘u’ shaped, and where a counterpart bank was evident this was recorded in the notes. The combined total of all earthworks recorded with these terms is 110, although it must be noted that some single features are recorded by several numbers due to their length and obstructions such as undergrowth.

A number of these were very clearly holloways representing former routeways through the woodland. Most of them are ‘v’ shaped and represent footpaths and bridleways as opposed to roadways. Comparison with the historic mapping allows some of them to be associated with named routeways, such as ‘Budby Bridle Road’ and ‘Gleadthorpe Gate’. Both of these are depicted on the 1971 map and although they are still used as pathways it is clear from the survey data and examination of the Lidar that the courses have meandered over time.

Further interpretation of many of these features was not possible and they have simply been recorded as earthworks. While some of these may be natural the nature of the geology in the area means that most are likely to be anthropogenic in origin.

The survey recorded evidence of a former, and much-altered, routeway from Edwinstowe to Budby. This north-south trackway enters the Country Park from the south near to the car parks where it is recorded as a slight ‘v’ shaped holloway running NW-SE. It continues to the north of a main modern pathway into an area of tall oaks of a different character to the veterans. Here the holloway is broad and deep on the slope, but becomes shallow and disappears completely as the ground begins to level. From here and to the north there are numerous smaller holloways that split and take two routes; one set continue to head north towards Budby, while the other set curve westwards and appear to be heading to the Major Oak clearing. This is likely to be a result of the early days of tourism when the Major Oak became a popular local destination. It is posited that coaches brought visitors from Edwinstowe along this road to Budby and parked in the area where there is now no trace of holloway. The oaks may have been planted to enhance the landscape in the vicinity. The braided holloways to the north are a combination of the routeway up to Budby and the footpaths made by these early visitors to the Major Oak. The routeway that continues north towards Budby is presumably older and can be traced almost to the northern extent of the Country Park. In the north it sits adjacent to ridge and furrow cultivation and seems to define the western extent of this cultivation. It may also represent the eastern limit of Birklands and this is supported by the evidence presented on historic maps. This routeway is at least 18th century in date and probably much earlier. It appears on the 1791 map but it unnamed. Its course is approximately followed by a modern pathway except in the northern half where the modern path has deviated considerably from the original course.

A number of other potential and probable holloways were identified by the survey. Some of these run parallel to modern pathways. Others represent disused pathways that may be traceable through map regression.

A ditch running east-west just outside of the survey area was recorded as it was thought to be a continuation of a feature observed within the Park to the west.

Emily Gillott, 2017, Walkover Survey in Sherwood Forest Country Park, Page 16-17 (Unpublished document). SNT5784.