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Summary

Site of Higher Welsford. Building on the Tithe Map at SS 27762133. The First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map shows a different building at SS 27782134 and a further building on the western edge of road at SS 27812129, and a well is marked to the south. The farmstead is not shown on the Ordnance Survey 1804-7 drawing although small enclosures are shown. The farmstead is shown on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map. The banks and ditches of an extensive infield and outfield system are visible as earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs from 1959, and suggest a larger settlement, perhaps a hamlet that had reduced in size by the mid-nineteenth century. The banks and ditches are not visible on later available aerial photographs, but it is likely that some remains survive, particularly around the former farmstead or hamlet.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Ruins and earthworks of Higher Welsford Farm marked on nineteenth century mapping.

Other References/Statuses

• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FARMSTEAD (XIX to XX - 1804 AD to 1999 AD (Between))

Full description

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

Site of Higher Welsford. Building on the Tithe Map at SS 27762133. The First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map shows a different building at SS 27782134 and a further building on the western edge of road at SS 27812129, and a well is marked to the south.

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

The farmstead is shown on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map.

Royal Air Force, 1959, RAF/58/2984, NMR RAF/58/2984 F22 0057-0058 30-JUN-1959 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349064.

Several linear banks and ditches are visible as earthworks and cropmarks. Map object partly based on this source.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

Site of Higher Welsford. Building on the Tithe Map at SS 27762133. The First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map shows a different building at SS 27782134 and a further building on the western edge of road at SS 27812129, and a well is marked to the south. The farmstead is not shown on the Ordnance Survey 1804-7 drawing although small enclosures are shown. The farmstead is shown on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S., 2011 - 2012, North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV349018.

A number of linear features are visible as earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs taken in 1959, around the site of Higher Welsford. In the immediate area of the farmstead are several small and irregular enclosures, bound by ditches and banks less than 3 metres wide, that appear to form an infield system. It is possible that at least one could be a separate enclosed farmstead, as it is crossed by a straight and presumably later field boundary depicted on the 1880s-1890s Ordnance Survey map. Another has an internal roughly rectangular cut feature 5 metres by 6 metres in dimesnsions. This could support an interpretation of Higher Welsford as a shrunken (now deserted) village or hamlet. In the wider area curvilinear and linear banks and ditches are likely to be part of a more extensive field system. Only one of the former field boundaries, at SS2776821371, is depicted on the Tithe map, and it is probable than the field system fell into disuse before the mid-nineteenth century, indicating a decline in settlement at Higher Welsford by this time. The banks and ditches are not visible on later available aerial photographs, but it is likely that some remains survive, particularly around the former farmstead or hamlet.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325644	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1904 - 1906. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #108078 ]
SDV339712	Report - Assessment: Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J.. 2007. The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.22 (rev.1). A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV349018	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S.. 2011 - 2012. North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. ACD383/2/1. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV349064	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1959. RAF/58/2984. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/58/2984 F22 0057-0058 30-JUN-1959.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

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