MMO2353 - Post-medieval drainage ditch on Prayway Meads (Monument)

A probable 19th Century drainage ditch or water channel is visible on aerial photographs as an earthwork. It appears to have been designed to channel water from the boggy areas of Little Buscombe and Prayway Meads into the River Exe.

A post-medieval drainage ditch or water channel is visible on aerial photographs as an earthwork on the western side of Prayway Meads, Exmoor. Beginning at approximately 7701 4136 two parallel channels are visible, running downslope in aroughly north to south direction, with the eastern channel eventually turning 30 degrees west and connecting with the western channel. The total length of the gutters is approximately 225 metres. It appears to have been designed to channel water from the boggy areas of Little Buscombe and Prayway Meads into the River Exe, and most likely dates to the mid 19th Century and the Knight family's agricultural improvements in the area. [1,2] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [3]