MMO3313 - Post-medieval water meadow west of South Radworthy (Monument)

A number of post-medieval leats visible on aerial photographs as earthworks west of South Radworthy, North Molton are most likely the remains of a water meadow system, known locally as a catchwater meadow. Centred at approximately SS 7448 3248, at least seven gutters are visible running northwest to southeast and stretching across 8 fields. (NB: These fields were part of MDE11474 and have been removed since the photographs were taken). The gutters cover an area of some 5 hectares and do not appear to be connected to any local farmyards, suggesting that this was a detached system which only distributed water to the fields and not liquid manure or other fertilisers. A series of approximately parallel gutters were used to distribute flowing water evenly over the surface of the meadow in order to prevent freezing in winter and encourage early growth in spring, thereby providing extra feed for livestock. Most catchwater meadows are believed to date to the post-medieval period, although it is possible that they were first developed in the medieval period. [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]