MMO1965 - 19th Century water meadow south of Combepark Lane (Monument)

A post-medieval water meadow of a type known locally as a catchwork or field-gutter system was constructed on a southeast facing slope above Hoaroak water at circa SS 7347 4750, to the south of Combepark Lane, Lynton and Lynmouth parish. Catchwork systems are usually found on steep combe sides and are designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream along the valley sides via a series of channels or gutters. When irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow, thereby irrigating the slopes. This film of water prevented the ground freezing during the winter and raised the temperature of the grass in the spring, thereby encouraging early growth, particularly important during the hungry gap of the March and April. Any excess water then returned to the feeder stream at the valley bottom or was removed by a tail drain. The use of a series of parallel gutters to improve the coverage, as seen here, is a common feature of Exmoor systems. Two gutters can be confidently identified here, centred on circa SS 7353 4751 and visible for about 75 metres, and SS 7348 4751, much longer at roughly 250 metres. These two channels may have been fed from a spring at circa SS 7338 4741, although if this is the case the western extent of the gutters may not have been fully recorded. The ditches or channels to the northwest of these two gutters may be modifications or additions to the water meadow system, or later, possibly 20th Century tracks reusing the course of the gutters. It is not apparent from the aerial photographs alone which establishment the water meadow is associated with, but its source is closest to Higher Combepark. If this is the case, this system may be an integrated system where the water is passed though the farmstead or related outbuildings to pick up manure and subsequently distribute this liquid fertaliser on the slopes. [1-3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4]