MMO2153 - Post-medieval drainage ditches northeast of Pinkery Farm (Monument)

An area of regular post-medieval drainage ditches is visible on aerial photographs. The ditches were most likely cut as part of the Knight family's attempt at improvement, probably at the same time as the construction of Pinkery Farm.

An area of regular post-medieval drainage ditches is visible on aerial photographs on moorland to the northeast of Pinkery Farm, Exmoor. The ditches were most likely cut as part of the Knight family's attempt at improvement, probably at the same time as the construction of Pinkery Farm around 1845. Centred at approximately SS 7275 4143, the mostly straight, parallel ditches run both east to west and north to south, across a south facing slope above Pinkery Canal and an unnamed tributary of the River Barle. It appears that the ditches were designed to channel water into Pinkery Canal. In several places the ditches overlie or cut through earlier ditches, suggesting that there were several phases of cutting and recutting in this area. The ditches are also closely associated with an area of post medieval peat cutting. The whole area around The Chains is particularly boggy and peat covered, and it seems likely that the ditches were cut to drain the area prior to it being enclosed. When it became apparent that the area was too difficult to drain, it was used instead for peat cutting. According to Orwin, many miles of drainage ditches were cut across parts of Exmoor, but in some areas failed to provide adequate drainage for the land to be enclosed [2]. Large areas of Exmoor were successfully drained, although it appears that this area, which is still open and boggy moorland was not one of them. Other similar ditches are visible in the surrounding areas, some draining into natural streams and water courses, others, like this,appearing to drain into Pinkery Canal. Many of the ditches are associated with areas of peat cutting. [1-4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]