MMO3193 - World War Two features near West Water Combe (Monument)

Nine subcircular possible earthwork features are visible on aerial photographs of 1946 near the head of West Water Combe, Withypool Hill, centred approximately on SS 8329 3392. Although irregularly shaped the features are on average 9 metres in diameter and are distributed over approximately 1 kilometre of combe and hill slope. They resemble, variously, low mounds or shallow scoops and may be evidence of temporary earthworks constructed for military training activities of Second World War date. The function of the features is unclear but they may be temporary emplacements for field weapons. Additional similar features are visible extending the training across the ridge to the west. They have already begun to fade from view by May 1947 and their current condition is unknown. [1-3] Part of the recorded extent of the Monument record fell within the location of a field survey undertaken in 2017 as part of a desk based assessment of Withypool Hill. A single feature was identified. The mapped extent of these features contains dense, tall gorse and grasses that may obscure other features. The recorded feature is a shallow trench of approximately 4 metres square, surrounded by a continuous bank on its north, east and west sides, measuring between 2.5 metres and 4 metres wide, with a sharp inner slope and gentler outer slope. [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]