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Summary

Linear earthworks interpreted as tree planting banks of a 19th century orchard, which had been cleared of trees by the late-20th century, are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FIELD BOUNDARY (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))
• ORCHARD (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

South West Heritage Trust, 1838-1848, Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments (Cartographic). SDV359954.

The earthworks coincide with land parcel 514 which is recorded as ‘Great Orchard’.

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map, An orchard is shown in this location. (Cartographic). SDV336179.

An orchard is shown in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 2184-2185 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Linear banks are visible as earthworks.

GetMapping, 1999 - 2000, Millennium Map 1999-2000 Getmapping (Aerial Photograph). SDV321648.

The orchard has been completely cleared.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2020, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

Parallel earthwork banks, circa 4.5m wide, are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946. The banks are closely spaced and are aligned across the contours of the southeast facing combe slope, occupying an area of approximately 0.55 hectares. The banks correspond with land parcel 514 on the mid-19th century Parish Tithe Map which is recorded as ‘Great Orchard’ on the accompanying Tithe Apportionment. An orchard is also shown here on the late 19th century First Edition Ordnance Survey map. It is lightly planted with trees in 1946 and has been completely cleared and levelled by 1999. An orchard in this location supports the interpretation that the earthworks are the remains of 19th century tree planting banks, the fruit trees having been established on the earthworks for increased soil depth and improved drainage. An L-shaped earthwork bank which defines the south and west extents of the orchard banks is interpreted as an associated field boundary. It is not shown on the available historic maps, supporting the interpretation that it had been removed by the mid-19th century. It is therefore possible that this field boundary defined an earlier phase of orchard which was subsequently enlarged by the mid-19th century, or perhaps that two adjacent orchards were present here, but were simply amalgamated into a single orchard.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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