MMO2771 - 20th Century rig ploughing remains at Great Vintcombe (Monument)

Summary

Traces of narrow rig ploughing are visible as levelled earthworks on aerial photographs. Aclands was constructed in the early 20th Century and it is probable that the ploughing dates to this period.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Traces of narrow rig ploughing are visible as levelled earthworks on aerial photographs within the large enclosure on Great Vintcombe, surrounding Acklands Farm, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7282 3971 the edges of the ploughed area follow the boundaries of the extant polygonal enclosure almost exactly, covering an area of some 19 hectares. Nearly all the ploughing appears to run north to south; however, in the western half of the enclosure, traces of the north to south ploughing appear to overlie traces running approximately northeast to southwest, indicating that there may have been two separate phases. According to Burton [2], Acklands was constructed in the late 19th or early 20th Century (after 1861). It is not depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map [3], suggesting it was built and the enclosures laid out after 1890. It is probable that the ploughing dates to this period. [1-4] The farmstead is also not shown on the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey map, suggesting it was built after this was surveyed. It is, however, visible on aerial photographs dating from 1946-8 taken by the Royal Air Force. It therefore appears that the farmstead (and presumably this area of ploughing) dates to the early 20th Century. [5-7] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [8]

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/96507 25-26 (30 March 1996).
  • <2> Monograph: Burton, R.A.. 1989. The Heritage of Exmoor. Roger A. Burton. 87.
  • <3> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. 1890.
  • <4>XY Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 73 NW. MD002189. [Mapped feature: #33169 ]
  • <5> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1902-1907. County Series, 2nd Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500.
  • <6> Aerial photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946 -1948. Vertical Aerial Photography.
  • <7> Verbal communication: Various. 1993-. Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Team staff comments. Catherine Dove, 8 January 2018.
  • <8> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1484481, Extant 1 December 2021.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 73 NW111
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1484481

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 7286 3961 (554m by 698m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS73NW
Civil Parish EXMOOR, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 1 2021 10:32AM

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