MDE11741 - Post-medieval charcoal burning platform southwest of Watersmeet House (Monument)

SS 74344 48594. An oval platform cut into the steep east facing slope, in deciduous woodland owned by the National Trust, a few metres west of the footpath and some 100 metres southwest of Watersmeet House. The levelled platform is 8.5 metres north to south by 4 metres and its rear scarp is cut some 1.7 metres deep into the slope. The front is built up to about 2 metres. The platform is similar to a group of three situated further up the slope about 270 metres to the southwest, and which are most probably charcoal burners stances. One of these three appears to date at least to the early 19th Century. There may be several more scattered about the steeply wooded slopes. Surveyed at 1:2500. [1,2] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [3]