MMO3113 - 19th Century water meadow west of Ashwick (Monument)

Summary

A catch water meadow of probable 19th Century date is visible on aerial photographs as earthworks.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

An extensive water meadow of probable 19th Century date is visible on aerial photographs as earthworks centred on circa SS 8889 3027, to the west of Ashwick. This is a type of water meadow known as catchwork or field gutter system, commonly found on combe or hill slopes and designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream. The water is carried along the valley sides via one or more channels or gutters and when irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow from gutter to gutter, 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 March and April. This is a small and compact water meadow covering an area of at least circa 3.5 hectares. It probably operated in tandem with a similar system immediately to the west, probably associated with Mounsey Farm, to the northwest. The two water-meadows are probably contemporary and would have shared a single water supply, the spring-fed stream between them, operating on strict timetables to maximise its use. The gutters can still be seen on aerial photographs of 1972 but appear poorly maintained and may have passed out of use. [1-5] 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]

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/72314 338-9 (16 August 1972).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF 543/2821 (F63) 0266-7 (27 April 1964).
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF 106G/UK/1420 3296-7 (15 April 1946).
  • <4> Monograph: Cook, H. + Williamson, T.. 2007. Water Meadows: History, Ecology and Conservation. Windgather Press. 1st Edition. 1-7, 28-9.
  • <5>XY Archive: English Heritage. 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 83 SE. MD002198. [Mapped feature: #42567 ]
  • <6> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1490423, Extant 1 February 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 83 SE66
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1490423

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 8885 3027 (151m by 376m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS83SE
Civil Parish DULVERTON, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Feb 1 2022 5:10PM

Feedback?

Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.