MSO11865 - Medieval or post-medieval routeways on Hopcott Common (Monument)

Summary

Aerial photographs taken in 1947 appeared to show the earthwork remains of two small enclosures; however, these were later suggested to be tracks or packhorse ways leading up onto the ridgetop.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Low banks forming one complete small rectangular enclosure and three sides of a larger one on Hopcott Common. [1,2] The area in question lies on the edge of 19th Century enclosure [3] and 20th Century forestry. The earthwork remains of tracks or packhorse ways leading up onto the ridgetop are visible at the National Grid Reference given above; no enclosures could be discerned. [4] The area originally plotted on the GIS data for this record, centred at SS 9627 4434, is bisected by the historic parish boundary between Wootton Courtenay and Dunster Parishes, running southwest to northeast. This is shown on the 25 inch 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map with a routeway running along the southeastern side of the boundary. It is possible these features may have given rise to the originally noted earthworks mentioned by [2]. [5] Aerial photographs taken in 1946-8 by the Royal Air Force depict a group of sinuous earthworks to the west of the site, which appear to run between a marked footpath to the west (shown on the 1st Edition map[5]) and the parish boundary. It is possible that these represent desire lines or trackways between the two routes. [6]

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: April 1947. LHL CPE UK.1980. 3023.
  • <2>XY Unpublished document: McDonnell, R.. 1980. Gazetteer of Sites in the Exmoor National Park Identified through Aerial Photography. SS9644A. [Mapped feature: #34407 SS9644A]
  • <3> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. 1890, Somerset 35(9).
  • <4> Unpublished document: Riley, H.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 1998.
  • <5> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500.
  • <6> Aerial photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946 -1948. Vertical Aerial Photography.

External Links (0)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO7560
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 SE47
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1119389
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 34443

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9614 4429 (334m by 183m)
Map sheet SS94SE
Historic Parish DUNSTER
Historic Parish WOOTTON COURTNEY
Civil Parish MINEHEAD, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET
Civil Parish MINEHEAD WITHOUT, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Apr 15 2020 2:35PM

Feedback?

Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.