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Summary

Vermin trap abuts a boundary wall. Includes a single length of rubble wall, which together with a pre-existing field boundary wall forms a V-shaped trap. The wall is of rubble construction and measures 4.6 metres long by 1.2 metres wide and 0.4 metres high. The position of the trap suggests that it was intended to catch vermin following the boundary wall. The stone from which the structure was constructed was presumably robbed from the field boundary walls.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1020323: Prehistoric and historic archaeological landscape at Trowlesworthy Warren

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/240/20
• Old SAM Ref: 24232

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• VERMIN TRAP (XVII to XVIII - 1700 AD to 1800 AD (Between))

Full description

Cook, R. M. L., 1964, Old vermin traps on south-west Dartmoor, 199 (Article in Serial). SDV230549.

Trowlesworthy Warren. Site 7. Wall type 3a. Fair condition, walls only. Near left bank of the Plym 210 metres south-west of Shadyback Tor.

Haynes, R. G., 1970, Vermin Traps and Rabbit Warrens on Dartmoor, 157 (Article in Serial). SDV166302.

Vermin trap no.15 at SX56506500 described as being between south-west corner of three-cornered field and River Plym. Two funnel walls are built against an ancient wall following the line of the river; third wall is of small stones; 4th wall is the ancient wall running off to join the walled field.

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

Not visible on aerial photograph.

Gerrard, S., 1990-2002, Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset., MPP 140685 (Report - Survey). SDV277946.

Site visited on 1st April 1995. Vermin trap at SX56466501. Vermin trap abuts a boundary wall. Includes a single length of rubble wall, which together with a pre-existing field boundary wall forms a V-shaped trap. The wall is of rubble construction and measures 4.6 metres long by 1.2 metres wide and 0.4 metres high. The position of the trap suggests that it was intended to catch vermin following the boundary wall. The stone from which the structure was constructed was presumably robbed from the field boundary walls.

Thackray, C., 1994, The Upper Plym Valley: the management of an historic landscape, 75, 102 262 (Report - non-specific). SDV143510.

V-shaped funnel walls of a vermin trap set against the east face of a wall. Composed of irregular boulders and small stones with no obvious faced slabs. The arms are 6 metres and 4.5 metres long with walls 1 metre wide by 0.45 metres high.

English Heritage, 2005, Survey Information (miscellaneous date) (Report - Survey). SDV345855.

One arm of feature shown on survey.

Ridgers, H. + Ridgers, C., 2015, Of Varments and Vermin Traps, 4, No. 44 (Report - Assessment). SDV358632.

SX 56450 65024. No trace of the trap but walls very strong and visible.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 2015-2017, 2015-2017 Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV361462.

Visible on the aerial photography.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7369 - Survey of Granite Loading Bays at Trowlesworthy, Devon
• EDV8148 - The Upper Plym Valley: The Management of an Historic Landscape
• EDV8155 - Plym Valley Survey

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