MMO2709 - 19th Century water meadow east of Tivington Knowle (Monument)

Summary

The remains of a small water meadow of probable 19th century date are visible on aerial photographs.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

The remains of a water meadow of probable 19th Century date are visible on aerial photographs to the east of Tivington Knowle, centred at circa SS 9360 4462. This is a type of water meadow known as catchwork or field gutter system, commonly found on combe or hill slopes and designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream. The water is carried along the valley sides via one or more channels or gutters and when irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow from gutter to gutter, 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 March and April. It is unclear, from the aerial photographic evidence alone, with which farm the water meadow was associated. As it is not connected to a farmstead, it probably is therefore what has been called a detached system which supplied only water and not fertilizer to the slopes. The three gutters tapped a head main or carriage-gutter which was supplied with water from a source approximately 370 metres upslope to the southeast. [1-3]

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF 58/2665 (F21) 0078-9 (8 January 1959).
  • <2> Monograph: Cook, H. + Williamson, T.. 2007. Water Meadows: History, Ecology and Conservation. Windgather Press. 1st Edition. 1, 28-9.
  • <3>XY Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 94 SW. MD002186. [Mapped feature: #32438 ]

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 SW172
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1482819

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9359 4462 (109m by 147m) (Aerial Survey)
Map sheet SS94SW
Civil Parish SELWORTHY, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Mar 17 2020 4:18PM

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