Dulverton Weir forms an integral part of the historic water management system that powered Dulverton’s watermills. The earliest reference to a mill in the manor of Dulverton was in 1331 and a weir has likely been present on the current site since at least 1556 (the manor had six mills in 1568). The form of the weir as an oblique structure constructed of local rubble stone with a glacis (a pitched upper structure) is indicative of an early date. In present form it is multi-phase and contains modern repairs. Dendrochronology of structural stakes retrieved during repairs produced dates ranging AD 1717 to AD 1803.
Comments:
The weir was not recommended for listing in an assessment by Historic England in July 2018. With the following comments:
* although two visible sections of the historic weir survive, these are a small part of the weir overall, and there has been a significant loss of historic fabric;
* the repairs and rebuilding work to the weir use inappropriate materials and construction techniques that do not maintain the weir’s historic form and vernacular character;
* although there is evidence for the survival of the weir within ‘the island’ these constitute buried remains and are not eligible for listing nor does this potential survival outweigh the extent of loss and alteration elsewhere
* although the weir may have medieval origins there is no documentary or physical evidence in the fabric for a date earlier than the mid-C18;
* whilst the construction of the vernacular weir is of note, as a weir that is demonstrably of C18 date it lacks the engineering interest of other weirs of this period.
* although the weir has some group value with the early-C19 former silk and crepe factory, now known as Dulverton Laundry (Grade II), this is not contemporary with the weir and is located some distance to the south. There are no other listed mills within Dulverton.
The weir is multiphase with early origins and will have significant buried evidential value from the known surviving early sections which are of a distinct design. It is likely to be the largest as well as one of the earliest weirs on Exmoor. It is of high value to Dulverton as a landmark feature and for feeding the associated leat running through the town, a connection to Dulverton’s former mills and industrial past. Its preservation and research into its history is pursued by a locally formed Trust. The heritage asset was assessed for inclusion on the Exmoor Local Heritage List in November 2022. It was decided to add the asset to the Local Heritage List.