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Summary

An extensive network of catch meadow gutters of probable post-medieval to 19th century date is visible as subtle and narrow curvilinear earthwork ditches on aerial photographs of 1946 on the south-facing combe slopes overlooking the Lud Brook, south of Upton. The earthworks remain largely identifiable on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2019.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 FS 2191-2192 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

Environment Agency, 2019, National Lidar Programme, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM 25-FEB-2019 (Cartographic). SDV363691.

Curvilinear ditches are identifiable 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.

Numerous curvilinear ditches up to 3m wide and up to circa 300m long are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs of 1946 extending over approximately 4ha on the south-facing combe slopes overlooking the Lud Brook, south of Upton.
The channels are interpreted as the remains of an irrigation system of probable post-medieval to 19th century date, consisting of curvilinear but roughly parallel catch meadow gutters closely following the contours on the lower combe slopes, and less regular water channels nearer the combe bottom.
Catch meadows and related hybrid valley floor systems abstracted from springs or streams and used channels, or gutters, to redistribute it to irrigate the combe slopes. Originating probably in the medieval period they were in widespread use in Devon in the 19th century and continued in use into the mid-20th century.
In this instance the catch meadows probably abstracted water both from a spring-fed tributary to the Lud Brook and the Lud Brooke itself.
The gutters remain largely identifiable as earthworks on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2019.

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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