MMO1176 - Post-medieval water meadow around Nurcott Quarry (Monument)

The remains of an extensive fragmented water meadow system assiciated with the deserted post-medieval farmstead of Nurcott. The water meadows survive as numerous ditches which are visible as earthworks and have been mapped from aerial photographs. [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] At the time of the Tithe Map (1843) the fields containing the water meadow systems appear divided between holdings. Much of the southern area of the water meadow system (plots 491, 494, 499, 500) is recorded as being part of the Bakers and Pt Chapmans holdings. Chapmans Cottages appears to be the site of a former farm which may be run together with Baker's Farm at this time. The north and western extent of the water meadow system is recorded as part of the Nurcott holding (480, 486, 487, 536, 538, 539) and southern and central fields part of the Gardeners, Pt of Dry Ball and Pt of Welshers holding indicating that farms were being amalgamated. [4] It is not clear where the deserted post-medieval settlement of Nurcott mentioned above [1,2], lies. [5]