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Summary

The evolution of Wigford Down Clay Works is depicted on late-19th to mid-20th century maps. The mid-20th century arrangement and extent is also visible on aerial photographs of 1946. Part of the historic extractive landscape was destroyed by later-20th century extraction

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX56NE/552

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CHINA CLAY WORKS (Constructed, XIX to Mid 20th Century - 1850 AD to 1946 AD (Between))

Full description

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

'Wigford Down China Clay Works' indicated on the late 19th century (1880s) and early 20th century (1906) historic maps, on the eastern side of the Down.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

The area of the clay workings has been extended northwards since the late 19th century historic map depiction. Water wheel shown just to the south.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1190, RAF/106G/UK/1190 RS 3259-3261 27-FEB-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363067.

Pits, mounds and buildings are visible as earthworks and structures.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 4291-4292 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Pits, mounds and buildings are visible as earthworks and structures.

Ordnance Survey, 1953-1969, 1953-1969 National Grid OS A edition imperial (Cartographic). SDV352727.

'Brisworthy China Clay Works' indicated on the mid-20th century (1954) historic map.

Bowman, A. C., 1998, British Quarrying History (Monograph). SDV71598.

Brisworthy Quarry. China clay, gravel and sand. Operated by Brisworthy China Clay Company Limited in 1937, employing 11.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX5564-SX5565 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

The structures have been demolished and earthworks have been partly destroyed.

Ordnance Survey, 2018, MasterMap 2018 (Cartographic). SDV360652.

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.

The mid-20th century arrangement and extent of Wigford Down Clay Works is visible on aerial photographs of 1946. The site comprises several rectangular structures and settling tanks set amongst finger dumps of spoil radiating to the south and east.
With the exception of the rectangular structures and settling tanks which are not depicted on the Ordnance Survey Second Edition 25inch map, and are therefore probably early 20th century in date, the earthworks of the southern part of the site closely correspond with those depicted on the late-19th century maps.
In contrast, by 1946 the northern extent of the site, much of which extends beyond the survey area and has therefore not been transcribed, has been subject to expanding extraction resulting in the destruction of the earlier extractive landscape.
This corresponds closely with the clayworks as depicted on the 1953-1969 National Grid OS A edition imperial.
A leat and reservoir associated with the clayworks has been recorded separately.
The 1946 extent of the clayworks has been depicted using an Extent of Feature polygon.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

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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