See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

The remains of probable post-medieval to 20th century ridges made for fruit tree planting and improved orchard drainage were visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s as earthwork banks to the east of Holme Lea Farm, Offwell parish. The earthwork banks have probably been levelled.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ORCHARD (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1880 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

The northern area of low banks corresponded with an area depicted as an orchard.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 F20 1440-1441 11-APR-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356127.

Low earthwork banks were visible.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2016-2018, The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV359463.

The remains of two areas of low earthwork banks to the east of Holme Lea Farm, Offwell parish were visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s.
The banks were spaced on average 6 to 7 metres apart, and are aligned roughly north-west to south-east, cross-contour. The northernmost area of banks corresponds with an orchard depicted on the Ordnance Survey 25inch first edition map, probably associated with the former Tower Farm. This had been partly developed at its western end by 1947. The southernmost plot was not shown and had therefore probably been removed prior to the 1880s.
They are interpreted as probable fruit tree planting banks of post-medieval to 20th century date, made to increase soil depth and enhance drainage within an orchard.
The banks were not visible on more recent images available to the survey and the plots have been redeveloped probably resulting in the levelling of the slight earthworks.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV356127	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1974. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1974 F20 1440-1441 11-APR-1947. [Mapped feature: #74143 ]
SDV359463	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2016-2018. The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:2

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7508 - The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme (NMP) project (Ref: ACD1228)

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.