MMO2481 - Possible post-medieval stock enclosure on the eastern bank of Sparcombe Water (Monument)

A bank defined rectilinear enclosure of uncertain function is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards as an earthwork. It is marked on historic maps and appears to abut a probably contemporary 19th Century field boundary.

A bank defined rectilinear enclosure is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, as an earthwork on the eastern bank of Sparcombe Water at circa SS 8198 4115, approximately 500 metres to the southwest of Larkbarrow Corner. The earthwork encloses an area of roughly 0.5 hectares of rough pasture. Its function is unclear from the aerial photographs alone, but its location on the combe slope adjacent to the river may support an interpretation as a stock enclosure or sheepfold. The enclosure is marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1889 and is therefore later 19th Century in date at the latest. It also appears to abut a very regular field boundary possibly associated with the holdings of Westermill or Castle Farm, and may therefore be contemporary with 19th Century enclosure and agricultural improvement. It has been almost completely ploughed level by 1973. [1-4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]