See important guidance on the use of this record.

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

Summary

The remains of probable post-medieval to 20th century ridges made for fruit tree planting and improved drainage were visible on digital images derived from lidar data as low, parallel earthwork banks on the east facing slopes to the west of Quantock Common, Stockland.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: ST20SW/239

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• (Former Type) CULTIVATION MARKS (Early Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1750 AD (Between))
• ORCHARD (XIX to XX - 1840 AD to 1947 AD (Between))

Full description

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Maps and Apportionments (Website). SDV349463.

The plot (1871) was not depicted as an orchard and was listed as Brake on the accompanying apportionment.

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

The plot is depicted as an orchard, probably associated with North Common Cottage in the neighbouring plot to the north.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RS 4308-4309 11-APR-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356127.

The plot has been cleared of trees and earthwork banks were visible.

Palmer, R., 1992, Blackdown Hills AONB Aerial Photographic Assessment (Report - Assessment). SDV56044.

Ridged cultivation visible as earthworks identified from aerial photograph.

Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit, 1993, Blackdown Hills Survey (Report - Survey). SDV97763.

Other details: Archive.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003, East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey, 15, Part 1; 109, Part 2: Gazetteer, Site No. 454 (Report - Survey). SDV101648.

Ridged cultivation visible as earthworks on 1974 aerial photograph. The area lies just to west of survey area.
Map object previously based on this source.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003, East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey, Site No. 454 (Archive - Survey). SDV358490.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003, East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey, Site No. 454 (Report - Survey). SDV359019.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2016-2018, The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV359463.

The remains of probable post-medieval to 20th century ridges made for fruit tree planting and improved drainage were visible on digital images derived from lidar data as low, parallel earthwork banks on the east facing slopes to the west of Quantock Common, Stockland.
The banks extended over an area of almost 3000 square metres and were spaced up approximately 8 metres apart. They were aligned obliquely to the contours, presumably to aid drainage.
The visible earthworks fall within a plot not depicted as an orchard on the Tithe Map for Stockland and listed as Brake on the accompanying apportionment. The plot is depicted as an orchard on the Ordnance Survey 25 inch first edition map, probably associated with the newly built neighbouring North Common Cottage. The banks are therefore interpreted as ridges made for fruit tree planting and improved orchard drainage between circa 1840 and 1880.
The orchard was cleared of trees by 1947, and had therefore passed out of use by this date. The plot was obscured by scrub vegetation cover on more recent images available to the survey but the banks might survive as earthworks.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV101648	Report - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. Exeter Archaeology Report. 03.26. A4 Unbound + Digital. 15, Part 1; 109, Part 2: Gazetteer, Site No. 454.
SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV349463	Website: Devon County Council. 1838-1848. Tithe Maps and Apportionments. http://devon.gov.uk. Website.
SDV356127	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1974. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RS 4308-4309 11-APR-1947. [Mapped feature: #93475 ]
SDV358490	Archive - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. Mixed Archive Material. Site No. 454.
SDV359019	Report - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003. East Devon Heathlands Archaeological Survey. Exeter Archaeology Report. 03.26. Site No. 454.
SDV359463	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2016-2018. The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:2
SDV56044	Report - Assessment: Palmer, R.. 1992. Blackdown Hills AONB Aerial Photographic Assessment. Unknown.
SDV97763	Report - Survey: Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit. 1993. Blackdown Hills Survey. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit Report. Unknown.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7508 - The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme (NMP) project (Ref: ACD1228)

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