MDE13267 - Post-medieval catchwater meadow south of Lower House Farm (Monument)

Summary

A post-medieval catchwater meadow is visible as a series of earthworks. It appears to have been a detached system that only distributed water to the fields and not liquid manure or other fertilisers.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

A field on the south side of Lower House Farm contains a well preserved field gutter system. [1] The catchwater leat system is associated with Lower House Farm. [2] A post-medieval water meadow system, known locally as a catchwater meadow, is visible on aerial photographs as a series of earthworks south of Lower House Farm, Twitchen. Centred at approximately SS 7890 3030, four leats are visible following the contours of the south and west facing slopes, and apparently drawing water from the nearby spring. This system does not appear to be connected to any local farmyards, suggesting that this was a detached system which only distributed water to the fields and not liquid manure or other fertilisers. [3-5] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [6]

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <1> Verbal communication: Various. 1993-. Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Team staff comments. V Heal, 27 July 1994.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Wilson-North, R.. Various. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 22 February 1995.
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/73082 486-87 (24 September 1970).
  • <4> Monograph: Cook, H. + Williamson, T.. 2007. Water Meadows: History, Ecology and Conservation. Windgather Press. 1st Edition.
  • <5>XY Archive: English Heritage. 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 73 SE. MD002195. [Mapped feature: #37800 ]
  • <6> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1053792, Extant 6 October 2021.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Devon SMR Monument ID: 52065
  • Devon SMR: SS73SE/570
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 73 SE45
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1053792

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 7895 3027 (258m by 330m) Estimated from sources
Map sheet SS73SE
Civil Parish TWITCHEN, NORTH DEVON, DEVON

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Oct 6 2021 2:10PM

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