Centred NZ 026920. In the pasture fields around the farm of Greenleighton are ground disturbances typical of a depopulated village. Fragmentary banks divide the land into garths while smaller enclosures and platforms represent the buried foundations of buildings. The reasons and date of depopulation were not ascertained. Local enquiries revealed no significant field names. Discovered during field investigation. (1)

NZ 09 SW 5 and 6 refer to a defended house and supposed chapel falling within the precinct of this village. (2)

Deserted medieval village at Greenleighton. (3)

Such remains as there are do not form any coherent pattern. (4)

The existence of a settlement at Greenleighton is well attested in records of the late medieval and early modern periods and there are references to a chapel and, in the late sixteenth century, to a 'stone house' (presumably a bastle) (Hodgson 1827, 288-291). Until the mid-18th century the holding was divided into two separate farmsteads known as East and West Greenleighton. The 1777 Estate survey shows that West Greenleighton consisted of two distinct groups of buildings - one occupying the site of the existing farmstead and the other some 150m further west at about NZ 0250 9203. Although partly obscured by trees, elements of this western farmstead are still visible in the form of diffuse earthworks which include three or four small garths or paddocks besides the site of the farmhouse itself. The eastern part of West Greenleighton is occupied by the existing farm and all that remains from earlier times is the foundation of one building at NZ 0276 9194. This measures about 22m by 7.3m overall and is divided into three compartments. A levelled area nearby, at NZ 0274 0195, measures 28.5m long by 11.5m wide and is almost certainly a former tennis court.
According to the 1777 Estate survey the farmstead at East Greenleighton occupied the site of the present day farm cottages at NZ 0283 9207. All that now remains are traces of what could be a building platform extending beyond the garden to the east. A small enclosed garth or paddock at NZ 0281 9203 was certainly in existence by 1777 and is also depicted on the 1866 Ordnance Survey 6-inch map. The site of a building marked on the 1777 survey at about NZ 0277 9216 now lies under a shelter belt. This building, apparently at one time used as a hen house (HER 10786). A small enclosure at NZ 0284 9216 may once have formed part of an earlier settlement but neither its date nor its purpose can be ascertained from the photographic evidence.
In addition, air photography has recorded traces of buildings which do not appear on the 18th century surveys and which could perhaps be of medieval origin. For example, the foundations of a substantial building can be recognised at NZ 0251 9221. Close by is what seems to be a range of buildings centred at NZ 0255 9221. These are set out end to end with small garths to the north. At about NZ 0253 9219 is what appears to be a small square platform which could perhaps represent another building. Another platform, at NZ 0263 9216, seems too large to represent a building and presumably marks the site of some kind of enclosure. An area of disturbance at NZ 0268 9212 is likewise difficult to interpret but could perhaps be accounted for as the product of some form of cultivation.
In summary, air photography confirms the existence of village earthworks at Greenleighton. While some of them clearly date to the 18th century others are likely to be medieval. The earthworks were examined on 17th July 2002. (5)