See important guidance on the use of this record.

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

Summary

19th century cattle shelter or linhay, comprising a single storey gable-ended stone building with two wide openings at the front with brick arches. The short sections of walls projection from either end of the front are the remains of a yard or pound.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1107116: CATTLE SHELTER 350 METRES NORTH OF THE GREAT SLUICE

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS43SE/46
• Old Listed Building Ref (II): 98295

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LINHAY (Built, XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Unknown, 06/04/1984, Going to Work on the Marshes (Article in Serial). SDV351417.

Restoration work on the historic stone linhays on Braunton Marshes to be aided by a grant from Devon County Council.

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

Small building shown in north-east corner of field (407).

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

Building depicted.

Turpin, J. W., 1982, Braunton Great Field and Marshes, 8 (Report - non-specific). SDV341027.

Erected following reclamation of the marshes, linhays provided shelter for stock, and contribute to the character of the area.

Timms, S. C., 1982, Braunton Marsh Linhays (Personal Comment). SDV341134.

One of a number of agricultural buildings erected in fields on Braunton Marsh which was reclaimed in 1811-15. Shown on the Braunton parish tithe map circa 1840.

Dennis, A. J., 1983, Braunton Marshes Linhay Survey (Archive - Survey). SDV341136.

Linhay 11. 4.3 metres high by 4.5 metres wide by 9.9 metres long. Two arched doorways, 1.6 metres wide. Square pound. Condition quite good. Annotated survey drawing shows a single storey, gable ended stone building with two arched doorways at the front with brick quoins. The building has a slated roof, in poor condition, with blue clay ridge tiles and the ends of the beams projecting through the walls are protected by slates. Project from either end of the building are two short lengths of sloping wall with upright coping stones, remains of a former pound. Inside the building the floor has worn away.

Dennis, A. J., 1983, Linhay 11 (Ground Photograph). SDV357333.

Photo showing single storey, gable-ended building with two wide entrances at the front with arched brick lintels. Most of the ridge tiles are missing as are a number of slates. Extending forwards from either end of the building are the remains of the stone walls of a former pound.

Department of Environment, 1985, Braunton, 20 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV73918.

Manning, C., 2007, Braunton Marsh Management Study 2007, 8, 23 (Report - non-specific). SDV341104.

The Marsh linhays are intrinsically associated with the traditional cattle farming of the area, and their construction is believed to have started almost immediately after the initial enclosure was completed. Almost all linhays appear to have been built by the time of the 1842 tithe map of Braunton Parish. Linhays are 2 storey, open-sided cattle shelters, with a talet which was used to store feed. This study has produced a photographic inventory of the current condition of the Marsh linhays, together with any known sites of linhays which have now been lost forever.

Wessex Archaeology, 2007, RMB Chivenor Flood Defence Scheme Barnstaple, Devon: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment, 10 (WA72) (Report - Assessment). SDV342125.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 773 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

Ordnance Survey, 2014, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV355681.

English Heritage, 2014, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV355683.

Cattle shelter 35 [sic] metres north of the Great Sluice. Circa 1820 to mid C19. Shale rubble. Slate roof with gabled ends. Rectangular on plan with two wide openings on front with segmental brick arches. Short section of wall project from either end of front and probably originally carried roof down to form shelter over front. This cattle shelter (locally known as linhays) is one of many on Braunton Marsh and served as a shelter and probably a fodder store for cattle on the marsh. Braunton Marsh was probably reclaimed in the Middle Ages from tidal waters of the River Taw, but from 1811-15 the marsh was more extensively drained after authorization by Act of Parliament (1811) as a result of the endeavours of the Lords of the Manors of Braunton Gorges, Braunton Abbotts, Braunton Arundel and Saunton and others who had grazing rights on the marshes. They sought to enclose Braunton Marsh which was regularly flooded by tidal water. 949 acres were reclaimed. John Pascoe was the surveyor and James Green (County Surveyor) the engineer. The adjacent Horsey Island to the south east was reclaimed between 1852-1857. Historically these late enclosures are particularly interesting in Braunton where the Great Field immediately north of the marsh is one of only 3 open field systems to survive in England. Although today (1984) there are only 5 farmers on the Great Field their holdings are still widely dispersed over the field as they were in the Middle Ages when there were about 100 farmers.

Historic England, 2015, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV358087.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16/07/2015.
Cattle Shelter 350 metres north of The Great Sluice. Formerly listed as Cattle Shelter 35 metres north of The Great Sluice.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4490 - RMB Chivenor Flood Defence Scheme Barnstaple, Devon: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
• EDV6573 - Braunton Marshes Linhay Survey

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