MMO1791 - Possible 19th Century water weadow east of Desolate (Monument)

A post-medieval water meadow is visible on aerial photographs as two water channels, or gutters. It appears to have been fed by a stream within Desolate farmstead and have formed part of an integrated system with the site.

A post-medieval water meadow of a type known locally as a catchwork or catch meadow system is visible on aerial photographs as two water channels radiating out onto the north facing valley side from the Farm at Desolate, Countisbury parish. The water channels, also known as gutters, are centred on circa SS 7734 4971. Catchwork systems are usually found on steep combe sides and are designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream along the valley sides via a series of channels or gutters. This water meadow system was fed from a stream, probably fed from a spring issuing within the farmyard itself. When irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow, thereby irrigating the slopes. This film of water prevented the ground freezing during the winter and raised the temperature of the grass in the spring, thereby encouraging early growth, particularly important during the hungry gap of the March and April. Any excess water then returned to the feeder stream at the valley bottom or was removed by a tail drain. The use of roughly parallel gutters to improve the coverage, as seen here, is a common feature of Exmoor systems. This system is probably an example of an `integrated system', where the water is passed though the farmstead to pick up manure and subsequently distribute this liquid fertaliser on the slopes. Although similar systems were operating elsewhere by the 17th Century, this water meadow is probably 19th Century or later in origin. Many water meadows on Exmoor continued in use well into the 20th Century.[1-3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4]