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Summary

Sixteen platforms of varying size and shape are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, and images derived from Lidar data, as earthworks dispersed across a coastal hilltop to the north-west of Higher Warcombe, west of Ilfracombe. The shape, distribution and size of the earthwork platforms have been interpreted as evidence of a former golf course, probably of early twentieth century date.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1002572: Three standing stones 550m, 700m and 820m north of Damage Barton

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• GOLF COURSE (XIX to XX - 1890 AD to 1946 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 19/05/1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2082, NMR RAF/CPE/UK/2082 4074-4075 19-MAY-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV350392.

Earthwork terraces or platfoms are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1655, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1655 3031-3032 11-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349996.

Earthwork terraces or platfoms are visible.

Environment Agency, 2007, LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution), LIDAR SS4646 Environment Agency D0079065 01-APR-2007 (Cartographic). SDV350317.

Most of the earthwork terraces or platfoms are clearly visible, albeit in probably eroded condition.

Environment Agency, 2007, LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution), LIDAR SS4646 Environment Agency D0079066 01-APR-2007 (Cartographic). SDV350317.

Most of the earthwork terraces or platfoms are clearly visible, albeit in probably eroded condition.

Environment Agency, 2007, LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution), LIDAR SS4646 Environment Agency D0079069 01-APR-2007 (Cartographic). SDV350317.

Most of the earthwork terraces or platfoms are clearly visible, albeit in probably eroded condition.

Environment Agency, 2007, LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution), LIDAR SS4646 Environment Agency D0079070 01-APR-2007 (Cartographic). SDV350317.

Most of the earthwork terraces or platfoms are clearly visible, albeit in probably eroded condition.

Next Perspectives, 2010, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4746 08-APR-2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349899.

Fewer earthwork terraces or platfoms are clearly visible.

Next Perspectives, 2010, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4746 08-APR-2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349899.

Fewer earthwork terraces or platfoms are clearly visible.

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

Sixteen platforms of varying size and shape are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, and images derived from Lidar data, as earthworks terraced into the slopes of a coastal hilltop to the north-west of Higher Warcombe, west of Ilfracombe. The shape, distribution and size of the earthwork platforms have been interpreted as evidence of a former golf course, probably of early twentieth century date. The platforms, interpreted here as being possible former greens, are divided between being roughly circular and roughly square or rectangular in shape, both measuring between 15-20 metres across. Five of the identified earthworks are roughly square and eight are ovoid. A larger elongated platform at circa SS46824650 measures circa 50 by 10 metres in size. Two smaller earthworks at circa SS47124662 and SS46934637 are interpreted as possible former teeing platforms.
It is likely that the golf course is a venture that failed prior to the Second World War. Many of the platforms survive as earthworks, albeit in eroded or obscured condition, but few are clearly visible on traditional aerial photographs taken in April 2010. Fortunately many are identifiable on interactive images derived from Lidar data acquired in April 2007.

Sources / Further Reading

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
SDV349899	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2010. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4746 08-APR-2010.
SDV349996	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1655. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1655 3031-3032 11-JUL-1946.
SDV350317	Cartographic: Environment Agency. 2007. LiDAR data JPEG image (1 metre resolution). Environment Agency LiDAR data. Digital. LIDAR SS4646 Environment Agency D0079065 01-APR-2007.
SDV350392	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 19/05/1947. RAF/CPE/UK/2082. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/CPE/UK/2082 4074-4075 19-MAY-1947.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

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

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