MSO10939 - Post-medieval catchwork gutter south and west of Warren Farm (Monument)

Contour leat running from the Warren to Dry Hill. Starts at SS 7860 4105 in Exe valley and ends against a 19th Century field bank at SS 7986 4052. Fairly well preserved throughout its length, 0.6 metres wide with a down slope bank up to 0.5 metres high and 1.5 metres wide. At SS 7925 4063 leat supported by a stone bank. Post dates the trackway and enclosure walls at Warren Cottages (MSO10929) and pillow mound (MSO10932) which it cuts. [1-5] A system of catchwater leats is centred at SS 7945 4062 on the south facing slopes of the Exe valley below Warren Farm. At least four, and perhaps as many as six leats, are visible. They survive as slight channels cut into the natural slopes to a depth of 0.6 metres. They were presumably intended to convey water from the streams which form the tributaries of the Exe, onto the steep natural slopes. They are probably of 19th Century date andmay be contemporary with Warren Farm. Three of the leats cut through pillow mounds. Surveyed at 1:2500 scale. [6] The contour and catchwater leats described above are clearly visible on aerial photographers, and are clearly part of the extensive catchwater meadow system which extends across Prayway Meads, The Warren and Warren Farm. A number of these leats have been recorded individually, and have now been combined under one record (MMO2354) for clarity. [7,8] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [9]