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Summary

Water meadows shown on aerial photograph to the east of Fernam Farm

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Water Meadows, Post-Medieval, east of Fernam Farm.

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 1488897
• National Monuments Record: SS 63 NE 55
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WATER MEADOW (Post Medieval to XX - 1540 AD to 1901 AD (Between))

Full description

National Monuments Record, 2007 - 2009, National Monuments Record Index incorporating Exmoor National Park National Mapping Programme for SS63NE (National Monuments Record Database). SDV343039.

A Post Medieval water meadow system, known locally as a catchwater meadow, is visible on aerial photographs as a series of earthworks in fields east of Fernham, Bratton Fleming. A series of approximately parallel gutters were used to distribute flowing water evenly over the surface of the meadow in order to prevent freezing in winter and encourage early growth in spring, thereby providing extra feed for livestock. This system appears to be connected to the farmyard at Fernham, suggesting that this was an integrated system which also distributed liquid manure as fertiliser to the fields. A large pond also forms part of the system, and was probably used to store water before releasing it to the leats. Other details: Monument Number 1488897.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4547 - Exmoor National Park National Mapping Programme

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