In the southern corner of Box Wood can be found the remnants of a 16th century saw pit.
Rare because of the size and depth measuring around 20m x 8m.
Dr Oliver Rackham, historical ecologist stated….
“Saw pits were made to saw a log long wise with a two man saw:
One man stood on the log and another in the pit beneath it. The practice appeared in the fourteenth century & continued into living memory.
Saw pits could be dug in woods.
I have yet to see a convincing saw pit, but would expect to find the weathered remains of a pit originally the size and shape of a churchyard grave”
Boxwood saw pit is so much larger than a churchyard grave. The sheer size & depth is astounding for a 500 year old sawpit. Maybe it was used more recently than the 1600s? You would be pushed to fined a better representation in the UK.
A wonderful example and a true rarity belonging to Boxwood.
Sadly, however, the pit is becoming more and more eroded due to the sheer number of mountain, motor and dirt bikers who use it for stunts.