MSO8971 - Betsy Mine / New Langham Mine (Monument)

Summary

The last of the Brendon Hills Iron One Company works, opened in 1876, also known as New Langham mine. The area is visible as faint earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1947.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

"Betsy Mine, disused" is marked on the 6" map of 1962. It was also known as New Langham mine and was one of the Brendon hills Iron Ore Company works. It was the last of their mines to be opened in 1876 and had an engine house, 2 shafts and siding from railway at Luxborough station. It is believed that the shafts are still visible. [1-5] Centred at SS 9848 5330 is an area of disturbed undulating ground associated with the mine workings. These appear as amorphous faint earthworks and were mapped from aerial photographs. [6-8] The mine shaft and airshaft have been filled and the former spoil heap is being removed for use as hardcore. The uppermost level is collapsing, opening into the field. [9] The site of the mine is marked by a spoil heap and other vague earthworks. [10] The site was visited in March 2013. A large mound, presumably the spoil heap mentioned above, lies in the field just outside and to the north of the holding in a small field of permanent pasture. The course of the former West Somerset Mineral Rail (WSMR) line is visible just beyond it. The southern extent of the site mapped on the HER is now within a cultivated field and nothing was visible within the holding. However, two pieces of iron ore were collected from the plough soil. [11] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [12]

Sources/Archives (12)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1962. 6 Inch Map: 1962. 1:10560. SS93NE.
  • <2> Monograph: Sellick R. 1970. The West Somerset Mineral Railway. P. 39.
  • <3> Monograph: Bryant T.C. 1980. The Hollow Hills of Brendon. 6.
  • <4> Aerial photograph: 1947. LHL CPE/UK/1980. 3336.
  • <5> Aerial photograph: September 19. HSL.UK.71-177 Run 99. 8810.
  • <6> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF MCPE/UK/1944/2147 (23 January 1947).
  • <7> Collection: RCHME: Brendon Hills Mapping Project, SS93NE.
  • <8> Unpublished document: McDonnell, R.. 1980. Gazetteer of Sites in the Exmoor National Park Identified through Aerial Photography. SS9835.
  • <9> Report: Jones, M.H.. 1995. Report on Proposed Low-Key Visitor Access to Industrial Sites on the Brendon Hills. P.15.
  • <10> Unpublished document: Wilson-North, R.. Various. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 12 March 1999.
  • <11> Verbal communication: Various. Various. ENPA archaeologist field visit. S Blaylock, 13 March 2013.
  • <12> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1127997, Extant 25 April 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO801
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11124
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 93 NE 46
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1127997
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 33422

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 985 353 (216m by 232m)
Map sheet SS93NE
Civil Parish BROMPTON REGIS, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Apr 25 2022 2:23PM

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