Site Event/Activity record EEM14161 - 2012 - TS: Pinkworthy (or Pinkery) Pond, Mires Project

Pinkery Pond is an artificial body of water, created by the construction of a massive earth and stone dam across the valley of the River Barle, by John Knight who had purchased the Exmoor Forest Estate by 1820. Knight envisaged the moorlands of the Royal Forest as a productive estate, centred around his new mansion house in Simonsbath, with reclaimed moorland producing corn and fine livestock. The pond has been previously interpreted as providing water for irrigation, for recreational or for industrial purposes. This survey was carried out in advance of mire restoration by the Exmoor Mires Project, recorded were areas of peat extraction, stone quarries, leats, a massive earth and stone dam and trial trenches and pits associated with mineral extraction. An alternative purpose for Pinkery Pond is suggested: a reservoir or header pond to provide water power for John Knight’s original agricultural enterprises on his Exmoor Forest estate.