See important guidance on the use of this record.

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

Summary

A catch meadow of probable post-medieval to 19th century date is visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as narrow earthwork ditches on the north-east facing slopes of a combe south of Challonsleigh, Sparkwell. The earthworks have probably been levelled.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (Post Medieval to XX - 1540 AD to 1946 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, RAF/CPE/UK/1890 FS 2182-2183 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

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.

Two roughly parallel curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks circa 1.5m wide on aerial photographs of 1946. closely following the contours of the north-east facing slopes of a tributary to the River Yealm.
The channels are probably the gutters of a catch meadow of post-medieval to early 20th century date. Such systems used springs or streams to irrigate the combe slopes rather than the valley floor.
The gutters are not identifiable as earthworks on any subsequent aerial photographs or lidar derived images and have probably been levelled.

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)

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