MSO10928 - Warren Farm, Exmoor (Monument)

Summary

Warren Farmstead was built by John Knight in 1844-45 and is noted as a good and little altered example of a reclamation farmstead. It has been suggested that a settlement existed here prior to the Knight family's acquisition of the land.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Built by John Knight 1844-45 at a cost of £331. [1] Situated in area called "The Warren". Associated sites include seven pillow mounds (E.G. MSO10930), earthworks (MSO10937 and MSO10938), enclosures (MSO10950, MSO10951 and MSO10953) and leats (E.G. MSO10952). Also possible prehistoric settlement and field system as well as post-medieval settlement remains (MSO10929 and MSO10959). [2] A very good and little altered example of one of the reclamation farmsteads. Only the eastern range is missing. Listed building. N.B. This site was not listed in March 2020, and had not been previously. [3,4, 13] Underground chamber revealed during alterations - possibly an icehouse. [5] Behind the house are a quadrangle of farm buildings, sheltered by beech trees. The farm is recorded as measuring 500 acres and employing 6 labourers in 1851. The farm is still in use (in 2013). [7] The farmstead and wider farm is depicted and labelled on the 25 inch 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map. [8] The farmstead is shown on 2018 MasterMap data. Further built additions have been made to the north and northeast of the main farm complex. [9] The farmstead was put up for sale by tender in April 1983. [10] Warren Farm was built by John Knight between 1844 and 1848 in an area known as "The Warren". It is noted as a good and little altered example of one of the reclamation farmsteads. Place name evidence, as well as the presence of numerous pillow mounds and associated earthworks suggests that a settlement existed here prior to the Knight family's acquisition of the land. [1,3,4,11,12] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [14] The heritage asset was assessed for inclusion on the Exmoor Local Heritage List in February 2024. It was noted that it has a moderate distinctive design similar to other Knight farms with farmhouse at one end of courtyard of outbuildings. It's historical association has been assessed as high with known occupants and links to Knights. It's evidential value is also high as house and outbuildings likely to retain a number of original features. It's social communal value is moderate being a well known farmstead on Exmoor and located on a popular public footpath. It's group value has been deemed to be high as the 19th century structures form a good group in an associated contemporary farming landscape including a contour leat. It's collective value is high with other buildings in the Knight Estate. It was decided to add the asset to the Local Heritage List. [15]

Sources/Archives (15)

  • <1> Monograph: Orwin, C. S., Sellick, R. and Bonham-Carter, V.. 1997. The Reclamation of Exmoor Forest edn). Exmoor Books. 3rd Edition. 66, 78 and 97.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Somerset County Council. Various. Somerset HER parish files - Exmoor records. PRN 33067.
  • <3> Photograph: 1984. Slide (SCC Planning Department). 3.014.0087-0089.
  • <4> Report: McDonnell, R.. 1985. Recommendations for the Management of Archaeological Sites in the Exmoor National Park at Warren, Pinford, Tom's Hill and Hayes Allotment. 39-40 (site 225).
  • <5> Unpublished document: ENP. 1988. ENP to CPO. PRN 33067.
  • <6> Article in serial: Harvey, N.. The Farmsteads of the Exmoor Reclamation. Journal of the Historic Farm Buildings Group. 3. 45-7.
  • <7> Monograph: Siraut, M.. 2013. A Field Guide to The Royal Forest of Exmoor. Exmoor National Park Authority. 27-8.
  • <8>XY Map: Ordnance Survey. 1854-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. [Mapped feature: #46505 Main farmstead, ]
  • <9> Map: Ordnance Survey. 2018. MasterMap.
  • <10> Unpublished document: Phillips, Sanders & Stubbs. 1983. Warren Farm, Simonsbath, Exford.
  • <11> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 543/2821 (F64) 167-68 (27 April 1964).
  • <12> Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SE. MD002183.
  • <13> Unpublished document: Whittaker, C.. 2020. Warren Farm, Exmoor.
  • <14> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1101986, Extant 2 June 2021.
  • <15> Unpublished document: Exmoor National Park Authority. 2024. Exmoor Local Heritage List assessed by the Panel on 21 February 2024.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO611
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO6907
  • Local Heritage List Status (Listed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 SE56
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1101986
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 33067

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 2794 1407 (966m by 650m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SS21SE
Civil Parish EXMOOR, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (9)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Apr 22 2024 8:47PM

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