MMO2340 - 19th Century drainage ditches on West Pinford (Monument)

A large area of post-medieval, probably 19th Century parallel drainage ditches is visible on aerial photographs as earthworks on West Pinford, Exmoor. Centred at approximately SS 7899 4191, the ditches mostly run east to west, following the contours of the slope, and cover an area of approximately 66 hectares. The ditches were most likely cut as part of the Knight family's attempt at improvement following their acquisition of the former Royal Forest in 1820. According to Orwin [2], many miles of drainage ditches were cut across parts of Exmoor, but failed to provide adequate drainage for the land to be enclosed. Other similar ditches are visible to the east and west, some draining into natural streams and water courses, others appearing to drain into contour leats. In places these other areas are cut by later 19th Century enclosure walls. [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]