Local List: Pinkery Canal (formerly Pinkworthy) (aka Prayway)

Pinkery (or Pinkworthy) Canal runs from Pinkworthy Pond to Exe Head to Warren and was constructed in 1820 for John Knight. Its purpose is not clear but may have been to transport goods such as lime, stone and minerals. It predates the surrounding enclosure banks and walls and is now in varying states of preservation. Never completed or connected to Pinkery Pond as it was at the wrong level and would have tapped the water too high. Possible that the dam was not strong enough to hold the intended amount of water. A full survey was undertaken by English Heritage during March and April 2003. Levels were taken at approximately 30 metre intervals all along the course. It was concluded that the canal was intended to be a continuous feature, connected to Pinkworthy Pond. It was not designed for drainage or irrigation and has the appearance of a large contour leat. The purpose of which may have been power, transport or a combination of the two. Canal is a deep channel with gaps at stream heads although it is carried over a stream at Tangs Bottom. The Exmoor Abstract shows that the Pinkery Canal was dug between October 1819 and March 1820. Age: of its time Rarity: canals of this date are not uncommon but it is an unusual upland setting and purpose Distinctive Design: fairly simple u shaped profile not known distinctive features Historical Association: High as part of early John Knight estate activities Evidential Value: only known from very limited documentation and as earthwork feature which will contain more evidence for its construction Social Communal Value: quite well known on Exmoor as a ‘mysterious’ Knight feature Group Value: as it is very extensive there are areas where it has relationships with other Knight Estate features, has strong relationship with Pinkery Pond Collective Value: One of a group of features strongly associated with the ‘reclamation’ of the former Royal Forest by the Knights