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Summary

Medieval or later streamworks situated on the upper reaches of the Walla Brook, southwest of Watern Tor. Archaeological field surveys in 1993 and 2003 recorded the streamworks as covering an area of approximately 4 hectares. The eastern side of the workings were found to be well preserved, comprising long linear spoil heaps running parallel to the brook with. Most of the heaps are revetted to a height of six to eight courses of walling. A further amorphous patch of streamworks, one hectare in area, was recorded in more open ground further north of the stream, 400 metres northwest of Watern Tor. Three tinner's huts (SX 68 NW 28, 35 and 87) are situated within the worked area.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthwork remains of medieval or later streamworks in Watern Combe with remains of tinners' buildings along the Wallabrook
• SHINE: Earthwork remains of medieval or later streamworks along the Walla Brook
• SHINE: Earthwork remains of medieval or later streamworks along the Walla Brook

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68NW86
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 966984
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX68NW/79
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX68NW/89

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STREAMWORKS (Constructed, Early Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1066 AD (Between) to 1901 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2082, 3281-2 (Aerial Photograph). SDV221887.

Greeves, T. A. P., 1981, Medieval Industry, 88 (Article in Serial). SDV275197.

Area of tin streamworks in Watern Combe along the banks of the Wallabrook. Part of the course of the brook has been artificially straightened to enhance the flow of water.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

SX 64658739 'Streamwork' shown on aerial photograph transcription - no photograph reference given.
SX 62598670 Length of streamwork with a scarp on the eastern side of the river visible on RAF 1947 aerial.

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit, S. Probert (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

(10/08/1993) Centred SX 62558660. Approximately 4.0ha of streamworking remains flanking the upper reaches of the Walla Brook south-west of Watern Tor. The eastern side of the workings are particularly well preserved; long linear spoil heaps run parallel to the brook with some shorter heaps at right angles and adjacent to the steep cliff marking the eastern margin. Most of the heaps are revetted, the walling often standing six to eight courses high. The workings terminate at the head of Watern Combe where the steep valley sides close in and the stream is fed into a revetted gulley. A further amorphous patch of streamworking remains covering about 1.0ha lies in more open ground further north on the stream some 400m north west of Watern Tor. The remains of three structures (Monument HOB UIDs 443736, 443575 and 966986) all apparently tinners huts lie within the worked area.

Probert, S. A. J. + Newman, P., 2003-2004, Measured survey North Dartmoor Military Range Okehampton Range: Monument Baseline Condition Survey, S. Probert (Report - Survey). SDV350801.

(21/10/2003) In addition to the above are several small patches of streamworks between Watern Combe and the confluence of the Walla Brook with the North Teign River.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project
• EDV8679 - Okehampton Range: Management Survey
• EDV8291 - Okehampton Range: Monument Baseline Condition Survey
• EDV8695 - Survey of Okehampton North Dartmoor Military Range
• EDV8423 - Duchy Farms Project

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