MMO2226 - Post-medieval water meadow north of Pinkery (Monument)

Summary

A number of gutters or leats are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks, which closely follow the contours of the slope and may be the remains of a water meadow.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

A number of gutters or leats are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks on moorland north of Pinkery and above the River Barle. They resemble the drainage ditches around Pinkworthy and Pinkery Pond; however, they closely follow the contours of the slope and may be the remains of a water meadow. Centred at approximately SS 7219 4176, at least 10 gutters are visible located on a fairly steep west and south-west facing slope above the River Barle. The gutters vary in length from 50 to 150 metres, and several of them appear to be connected in places with the leat known as Pinkery canal. Catchwater meadows used a series of approximately parallel gutters to distribute flowing water evenly across a slope, in order to prevent the ground freezing in winter and encourage early growth in spring. Frederic Knight was known to have constructed several as part of his improvement programme for the Royal Forest. The area is shown as unimproved moorland on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map, suggesting it was either constructed after 1890 or abandoned soon after construction. [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]

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/2082 3106-07 (19 May 1947).
  • <2> Monograph: Orwin, C.S.. 1929. The Reclamation of Exmoor Forest. Oxford University Press. 1st Edition.
  • <3> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. 1890.
  • <4>XY Archive: English Heritage. 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SW. MD002182. [Mapped feature: #32877 ]
  • <5> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1471321, Extant 19 January 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 SW257
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1471321

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 7219 4176 (180m by 239m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS74SW
Civil Parish EXMOOR, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 19 2022 2:21PM

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