MEM24559 - Post-medieval tunnel northwest of Ashley Combe (Building)

Summary

A tunnel carries one drive under a narrow path in Yearnor Wood. It has two towers, one built into the parapet and the other into the retaining wall, and provides a vantage point across the two drives MEM24556 and MEM24557. It possibly dates to the 1840s.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A tunnel lies some 6 metres to the west of another tunnel (MEM24558) at SS 85698 48273 and is an elaborate structure with two towers, one built into the parapet, the other built into the top of the high retaining wall. The towers have openings which take a narrow path across the top of the tunnel to Drive 4 (MEM24557) and also provide vantage points down onto Drives 3 (MEM24556) and 4. The tunnel is 2 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 2.5 metres high with a brick arch. The 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map [1] shows most but not all of the 19th Century drives and paths between Ashley Combe and Culbone; the tunnels are also depicted on the map. Documentary evidence suggests that the drives were laid out in the 1840s and perhaps largely completed by the early 1850s, when Lord King travelled abroad following his wife’s death in 1852. [2]

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500.
  • <2> Report: Riley, H.. 2018. The archaeology of the 19th Century designed landscape at Ashley Combe and Culbone Church, Exmoor National Park: Project Report. 18, 19.

External Links (0)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Candidate)

Map

Location

Grid reference SS 8569 4827 (point)
Map sheet SS84NE
Civil Parish PORLOCK, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Mar 10 2021 5:11PM

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