MMO1652 - Post-medieval water meadow east of Oare Manor (Monument)

A post-medieval water meadow system, known locally as a catch water meadow is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. This system does not appear to be connected to any of the local farmywards, suggesting it was a detached system.

A post-medieval water meadow system, known locally as a catch water meadow is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs, located to the east of Oare Manor and The Rectory. The system, centred at SS 8049 4712, consists of six curvilinear ditches, known as gutters and extends across four fields, covering an area measuring approximately 4 hectares. The gutters are located on a north-ast facing slope above Oare Water, running approximately east to west and appear to drain into Oare Water or an unnamed Combe to the west of Kemps Farm. This series of parallel gutters were used to distribute flowing water evenly over the surface of the meadow in order to encourage early growth in spring and prevent freezing in winter. This system does not appear to be connected to any of the local farmywards, suggesting it was a detached system, with no access to liquid manure and other fertilisers, except what was carried out to it. [1-4] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [5]