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Summary

A post medieval water meadow, of a type known locally as a catchwater meadow system, is visible on images derived from lidar data as curvilinear earthwork ditches to the west of South Town Farm, Loxhore.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WATER MEADOW (Post Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1540 AD (Between) to 1932 AD (Between))

Full description

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

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

A post medieval water meadow, known locally as a catchwater meadow system, is visible on images derived from lidar data as curvilinear earthwork ditches to the west of South Town Farm, Loxhore.
Catchwater systems used a series of approximately parallel gutters 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. Most catchwater systems are believed to date to the post medieval period, although it is possible that they were first developed in the medieval period.
The gutters west of South Town Farm appear to be supplied by a spring-fed stream that rises east of North Cottage before flowing along a combe to the south-west.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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