MMO2507 - 19th Century drainage ditches at Alderman's Barrow Allotment (Monument)

Drainage ditches of probable 19th Century date are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks centred on circa SS 8420 4240, on Aldermans Barrow Allotments, Luccombe parish. Six ditches are clearly visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s, cut into the south facing slopes above Chetsford Water and draining into natural channels which in turn drain into Chetsford Water. The drains appear to still be in use and were recut in the early 1970s. Many miles of drainage ditches were cut across parts of Exmoor, but ultimately did not address the underlying issue of compacted ironpan subsoils and failed to provide adequate drainage for improvement. [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]