MMO2612 - Post-medieval leat south of Knowle Manor (Monument)

A linear earthwork, previously thought to be a track or hollow way, is shown on the Carhampton Tithe Map to be a field boundary and leat. It appears to have been removed to enable the construction of a lodge and roadway.

A possible medieval track or hollow way is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs in a field south of Knowle Manor, Timberscombe. Beginning at SS 9620 4274 and running approximately east to west for 195 metres, the features fades at approximately SS 9601 4270. Its width varies from 17 metres at the eastern end to 27 metres at the western end. The hollow way runs roughly parallel with the extant A 396, and may represent the original course of the road. No routeway is depicted at this location on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map, suggesting it was abandoned quite some time prior to publication in 1889. [1-3] The Carhampton Tithe Map shows a field boundary in this position. A leat is apparently shown to the north of the boundary, being diverted from the mill leat that runs through Cowbridge at SS 9564 4264 and continuing to join the river at c. SS 9619 4282. The eastern end had clearly been removed by the time the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map had been drawn, with the end of the stream been altered to approximately follow its modern course and join the river at c. SS 9596 4281. A separate stream was formed at the eastern end, beginning at SS 9623 4263 and joining the mapped route at SS 9620 4274 before continuing down to the river. Reviewing the 1st Edition map, it would seem that this leat was removed to enable the construction of the Lodge and road that now leads to Knowle Manor. The mapping of this monument has been altered (extended) to reflect this information. [2,4,5] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [6]