More information : SX 702758. The small deserted village of South
Rowden or Hotholes (Hutholes) lies in an acre of waste ground
known as Old Walls, on Dockwell farm. The ruins of six
buildings were the remains of a more extensive Medieval village.
The remnants of a narrow entrance lane can be seen leading from
the Grimspound to Widecombe road and passing through the site.
Excavation disclosed overlying sequences of turf-walled
buildings replaced by stone walled structures comprising the
manor house, a three-roomed long-house, two single-roomed
dwelling houses, and two barns, one of which was possibly for
drying corn. The stone-walled manor house was an imposing
building 51 feet by 20 feet. After partial demolition in the
early 13th century it was replaced by a similar building, 44
feet by 14 feet. The stone-walled long-house replaced the last
turf-house and was also of two periods. Pottery suggests that
the stone house was occupied in the late 12th and 13th century.
The beginning of the site is provisionally ascribed to the
early 11th century. Classed as a well preserved site (4). (1-5)
The DMV of Hutholes is probably the site of the early Dewdon Manor, this is indicated by the proportions and size of the Manor House in the late 12th-early 13th century and the long sequence of turf-walled buildings on the same site. The desertation of the village appeared to be gradual, finally abandoned by the mid 14th century. The gradual abandonment is borne out by changes in function of some of the buildings; one was converted into a corn-drying barn, originally with a double drier. (6)
The site was surveyed by staff of RCHME during July 1994, for further information see archive report. (7) |