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 ridges made for improved drainage and soil depth within an orchard were visible as earthwork banks in south-facing plots overlooking the Oxencombe valley at Hamlyns Farm, Chudleigh, on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards and images derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ORCHARD (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1840 AD (Between))

Full description

South West Heritage Trust, 1838-1848, Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments (Cartographic). SDV359954.

The visible earthworks correspond with orchards recorded as Plot 217, New Orchard; Plot 218, Great Orchard; Plot 223, Hamlyns Orchard.

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

The amalgamated plots remain depicted as orchards.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1823, RAF/CPE/UK/1823 RP 3027-3028 04-NOV-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV354994.

The banks are visible as earthworks under moderate tree cover.

NERC, 2013, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) Tellus: South Devon to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX88SE Tellus DTM 01-JUL-2013 to 31-AUG-2013 (Cartographic). SDV361514.

The banks are visible as earthworks.

Next Perspectives, 2015-2017, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery SX8781-SX8782 15-AUG-2016 & 23-AUG-2016 (Aerial Photograph). SDV361515.

The plots remain planted with a light cover of trees.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2018-2019, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley (Interpretation). SDV361305.

The remains of parallel earthwork ridges were visible as earthworks under moderate tree cover on in three plots at Hamlyns Farm, Chudleigh, on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards. The closely spaced banks are on average 5 metres wide and are aligned across the contours of the south-facing Oxencombe valley slopes.
The plots in which the banks are visible are depicted as three orchards on the Tithe Map for Chudleigh (from west to east: Plot 217, New Orchard; Plot 218, Great Orchard; Plot 223, Hamlyns Orchard).
The plots remain depicted as orchards on the 1880s Ordnance Survey 25-inch first edition map, with the former New Orchard and Great Orchard combined into a single larger orchard. The banks were therefore probably created prior to circa 1840 and are interpreted as earthworks made to enhance drainage and provide additional depth of soil within the orchard. All remained planted with a moderate density of trees into the 1940s.
Banks are visible on two alignments in the area corresponding to the former Great Orchard. This has resulted in linear arrangements of small raised islands or mounds where the banks intersect. This evidence of remodelling may support the interpretation that of the three orchards, this plot has been in use for the longest period.
The banks remain visible as subtle earthworks on images derived from lidar data captured in 2013 and all remain planted with a light cover of trees. The banks in the easternmost plot, the former Hamlyns Orchard, have been partly levelled, probably during works to build a swimming pool.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #113221 ]
SDV354994	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/CPE/UK/1823. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1823 RP 3027-3028 04-NOV-1946.
SDV359954	Cartographic: South West Heritage Trust. 1838-1848. Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments. Tithe Map and Apportionment. Digital.
SDV361305	Interpretation: Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R.. 2018-2019. The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV361514	Cartographic: NERC. 2013. LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) Tellus: South Devon to Dartmoor. Digital. LIDAR SX88SE Tellus DTM 01-JUL-2013 to 31-AUG-2013.
SDV361515	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2015-2017. Aerial Photography for Great Britain. Digital. Next Perspectives APGB Imagery SX8781-SX8782 15-AUG-2016 & 23-AUG-2016.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7515 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey (Ref: ACD1748)

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