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Summary

A possible sub-circular enclosure is visible on images derived from lidar data, defined by slight earthwork banks and scarps on the west-facing slopes to the south of Combe House. The enclosure is not depicted on historic maps and predates the extant parkland associated with Combe House. It may represent medieval enclosure or perhaps an early parkland feature enhancing a natural terrace formed by local topography, but could have earlier, possibly prehistoric antecedents.

Location

Protected Status

• Registered Park or Garden (II) 1000691: COMBE HOUSE

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• SUB CIRCULAR ENCLOSURE (Early Iron Age to XVIII - 700 BC? (Between) to 1800 AD (Between))
• NARROW RIDGE AND FURROW (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

The visible earthworks do not correspond to any depicted boundaries or enclosure.

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

The visible earthworks do not correspond to any depicted boundaries or enclosure.

Environment Agency, 2021, University of Exeter Understanding Landscapes Project - Lidar visualisation (Cartographic). SDV366001.

Earthwork terracing and scarps are visible defining a sub-circular plot on the west-facing slopes to the south of Combe House.

Hegarty, C., 2025, Comment on Unlocking Landscapes project and related lidar and aerial photograph interpretations (Interpretation). SDV366411.

A sub-circular plot approximately 108m long by 99m wide is visible on images derived from lidar data, by slight earthwork banks and scarps on the west-facing slopes to the south of Combe House. The north-east side of the plot is defined by a watercourse that sinks at circa SY14279773. The south and south-east side is formed by a terracing into the hillslope. Scarps, possibly natural, possibly enhanced by a former track or drive, define the west and north-west edges. These features do not correspond to any boundaries depicted on the Tithe Map for Gittsham or the Ordnance Survey First Edition 25 inch map, indicating that any enclosure based on these topographic features predated and was cleared prior to the laying out of the extant parkland. Nonetheless, narrow ridge and furrow is visible as earthworks within the sub-circular plot, on a north-west to south-east alignment, differing from east-west aligned ridges in the area immediately to the north-east, supporting the interpretation that the sub-circular area has historically been improved or cultivated as a discrete plot. It might represent pre-emparkment medieval enclosure or perhaps an early parkland feature enhancing a natural terrace, possibly removed for landscaping associated with - mid to late 18th century renovations to Combe House. It is also possible, though considered less likely, that the sub-circular terrace has earlier, possibly prehistoric antecedents.

Horner, B., 2025, Lidar interpretation (Personal Comment). SDV366415.

Possible enclosure or parkland feature. Prominent sub-circular feature on LiDAR. Not reflected on historic or modern mapping. May be fortuitous combination of stream, driveway, etc.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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