MMO979 - Post-medieval water meadow at Daws Farm (Monument)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (1)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Water meadow system of probable post-medieval date, visible on vertical aerial photographs at Daws Farm, often called catch or field gutter systems. Such water meadows are commonly found on combe or hill slopes and are designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring, stream or river. The water was carried along the slopes by the gutters and when irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow from gutter to gutter, thereby evenly irrigating the slopes. This film of water prevented the ground freezing during the winter and raised the temperature of the soil in the spring thereby encouraging an early growth of grass, particularly important during the hungry gap of March and April. [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]
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF CPE/UK/1944 1156-8 (23 January 1947).
- <2> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 543/2821 (F63) 0274-5 (27 April 1964).
- <3> SEM7396 Monograph: Cook, H. + Williamson, T.. 2007. Water Meadows: History, Ecology and Conservation. Windgather Press. 1st Edition. 1-7, 28-9.
- <4> SMO7523 Archive: Dyer, C.. 1998-1998. RCHME: Brendon Hills Mapping Project, SS 93 SW. AF1133201.
- <5> SEM7987 Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1133738, Extant 9 May 2022.
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1133738 (Original Monarch entry: 1133738)
Other Statuses/References
- Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO9013
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 93 SW48
- NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1133738
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 9343 3081 (831m by 471m) Aerial Survey |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS93SW |
Civil Parish | BROMPTON REGIS, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
May 9 2022 9:05PM
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