Local List: Post-medieval stone working site east of Hoaroak Water (Hoaroak gatepost factory)

The site of a stone working area on the east floodplain of Hoaroak Water. The presence of about a dozen large stone slabs, drilled for use as gateposts, suggests the production was associated with enclosure in the early 19th Century. The main feature, a long rectangular hollow, is cut into the bottom of the scree clad slope which has been used as a source of stone. The hollow does not appear to have been a building, but it may have been a working platform or finishing area. The hollow alternatively could represent prospecting for iron. A track, running along the bottom of the steep slopes, skirts around the eastern side of the hollow apparently post dating it. Attached to the northern end of the hollow are the fragmentary remains of a crudely constructed circular stone walled structure, about 4 metres east to west by 3 metres and 0.3 metres high, built out of the scree. There are remains of a similar building, about 5 metres west of the centre of the main hollow, which has an entrance on the north side and a short length of scree walling, about 1 metre thick, on its south side. These are probably the remains of small bothies. Scattered around the site, especially on the slopes to the east of the rectangular hollow, are about a dozen large stone slabs, each about 2 metres long, 0.5 metres to 0.7 metres wide and 0.25 metres to 0.4 metres thick. Most slabs are drilled centrally with two small holes all exactly 0.9 metres apart (some only have one hole) and they have obviously been intended as gateposts. The area appears to be a stone working site. The gateposts suggest it is contemporary with the enclosure of the area in the early 19th Century. Age: strongly related to early Knight enclosure of former Royal Forest Rarity: only site of this type known on Exmoor Distinctive Design: no Historical Association: strong associated with Knight Estate and early establishment of estate Evidential Value: archaeological evidence in for of worked stone and fragmentary structures Social Communal Value: little known although near Tarka Trail / Two Moors Way and Open Access Group Value: associated with the construction of nearby Enclosure Wall and other knight structures in Hoar Oak Valley Collective Value: some associated with other knight industrial activity