MMO2348 - Post-medieval water meadow south of Duredon Farm (Monument)

A post-medieval leat or field gutter is visible on aerial photographs as an earthwork in a field south of Duredon Farm, Exmoor. Beginning at approximately SS 7558 4011, the gutter runs approximately north to south for approximately 10 metres, before connecting with a gutter running approximately east to west. This horizontal gutter measures approximately 160 metres long. It seems likely that the gutters were part of an integrated water meadow system at Duredon Farm, which transported water and manure from the farmyard to the field, in order to encourage early growth in spring and prevent freezing in winter. Duredon Farm was constructed by the Knight family during the mid 19th Century; an agent employed by the family was known as an expert in irrigation and water meadows, and it seems likely that the system at Duredon was constructed around the same time. [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]