HistoricE nvironmentReview · 2020. 4. 23. · involve designing and making a small mosaic which...

Contact usThe Historic Environment team isbased in Exmoor National ParkAuthority’s Conservation & LandManagement Section at Dulverton:

Exmoor National ParkAuthority,Exmoor House,DulvertonTA22 9HL,01398 323665.

Historic Environment ManagerRobWilson-NorthDirect line: 01398 [email protected]

Historic Buildings OfficerMark ClitherowDirect line: 01398 [email protected]

Conservation Adviser (Archaeology)JessicaTurnerDirect line: 01398 [email protected]

Historic Environment Record OfficerFaye GloverDirect Line: 01398 [email protected]

Externally funded project post:

Aerial Survey OfficerExmoor National Mapping ProgrammeCain Hegarty

Further information about the projects inthis review can be obtained from theHistoric Environment team or from:www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

16 Historic Environment Review 2009

March 2010Dates for the diaryAll these events are listed in the Diary Pages of theExmoorVisitor. Check the Exmoor National ParkAuthority website, local press and visitor centres nearerthe time for full details.

Saturday 17th July to Sunday 1stAugustFestival of BritishArchaeology

Monday 26th July to Sunday 1stAugustNational ParksWeek

Saturday 17th July10th ExmoorArchaeology Forum -IronAge and Roman Exmoor

The 10th Exmoor Archaeology Forum will focus on Iron Age andRoman Exmoor.The day will consist of a series of illustratedlectures by experts and will look at the regional context ofExmoor at this time as well as examining the evidence for IronAge settlement on and around Exmoor.

Please check the Exmoor National Park Authority website, localpress and visitor centres nearer the time for full agenda, bookingdetails and admission charges. (Please note that admission to theForum is by pre-booking only.)

Tuesday 20th JulyOn the edge of Dumnonia - IronAge DunsterDiscover the remarkable Iron Age fortifications around Dunsterwith a National Park Archaeologist.

Friday 23rd JulyFire Breathing Dragons and Pans of Gold -from Pinkery to Chapman BarrowsThis walk uncovers 5000 years of history in one of Exmoor’s mostevocative landscapes.

Saturday 24th JulyMake a Roman MosaicCome along to learn about Roman mosaics and to make yourown Roman style mosaic.This basic mosaic making course willinvolve designing and making a small mosaic which you may keep.Materials are provided and the course is suitable for all (parentalsupervision of under 10s is required).This event is being run aspart of the 2010 Festival of British Archaeology. Limited spaces,Booking required, £2 charge per person (to cover materials).Please contact Jessica Turner on 01398 322289 to book a place.

Friday 30th and Saturday 31st JulyTimberscombe Hillfort Excavation - Open DaysExmoor National Park Archaeologists and local volunteers willbe investigating the Iron Age Hillfort near Timberscombe. Comealong to the site to find out more about the reality of life inExmoor’s Iron Age some 2500 years ago.

Historic Environment Review

The Exmoor National Park Historic EnvironmentRecord (ENPHER) is now online! Access to theENPHER has been improved. Everyone is stillwelcome to contact the Historic Environment RecordOfficer by email, telephone or in person (byappointment) for enquiries about archaeological sites,historic buildings and other aspects of Exmoor’s past,but there is now also the option of searching therecords online at Heritage Gateway;www.heritagegateway.org.uk.

Heritage Gateway gives you online access to historicenvironment resources allowing you to search localand national heritage records.You are therefore ableto search the Exmoor National Park HistoricEnvironment Record alongside other local HistoricEnvironment Records and Listed Buildings Online,Images of England and PastScape.

Records held within the Exmoor National ParkHistoric Environment Record have doubled since 2008.

A substantial part of the additional information wascompiled by the Devon and Somerset County Councilsbefore being transferred to Exmoor National ParkAuthority.The Authority acknowledges the previouswork carried out over many years by English Heritage,the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments ofEngland, the Ordnance Survey and both CountyCouncils in developing and maintaining the HistoricEnvironment Records for the National Park.The recenttransfer of data has enabled the information to belocalised, so that all historic environment enquiriesrelating to Exmoor National Park can be dealt with byExmoor National Park Authority.

The information held in the ENPHER has beenincreased and improved over the previous fivemonths by the work of a temporary assistant who hasbeen adding information on numerous historic andarchaeological sites, including the late Mesolithic siteof Hawkcombe Head, 10 years of archaeologicalmonitoring at Porlock Bay, conservation on the WestSomerset Mineral Railway and research into Exmoor’searly iron industry.

A programme of content improvement is planned,which will work through the report collection heldwith the ENPHER, ensuring that the database is ascomplete and up-to-date as possible.

For Historic Environment Record enquiries pleaseemail [email protected].

3 Not just a living but a way of life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.3; C1.6

4 Oral Histories of Exmoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C4.2

5 The 9th Exmoor Archaeology Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.4Lanacombe - investigating the Bronze Age landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.1; C1.4

6 Exmoor - the Making of an English Upland C1.3The Romans in Dunster?

7 Hunter gathering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.4The Old Mineral Line Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.4; C5.1Environmental Stewardship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Service PlanProfessional Work Placements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5.7

8 West Somerset Mineral Railway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.4

10 Mapping Exmoor’s archaeology from the air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.7

11 Scheduled Monuments at Risk survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.2 / C2.1Porlock Bay Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.2

12 Valley Mires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.1 / C1.5

13 Local List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.3Giving advice on aspects of the historic environment . . . . . . . . . . . .Service Plan

14 In the steps of Exmoor’s oldest iron masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5.4

15 What do you want to know about Exmoor’s Past? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5.1

16 Dates for the diaryThe Historic Environment Team

2 Historic Environment Review 2009 Historic Environment Review 2009 15

Management Plan/Business Plan Target

What do you want to knowabout Exmoor’s Past?

Contents

Above: Ashwick Theatre from north westBelow: The Sheepfold on Lanacombe.Commonly known locally as ‘BuscombeBeeches’

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Right: Silcombe - interiorof Threshing Barn© Chris Chapman.For more of ChrisChapman’s photos seethe articles on pages 3and 4.


The project investigated a number of sites, includingSherracombe Ford and Roman Lode and sites in theBarle valley, with fieldwork, geophysical survey,excavation and analysis of pollen, charcoal andceramics, and a sequence of radiocarbon dates.Sherracombe Ford is one of the most well preservediron smelting sites on Exmoor, surviving as wasteheaps (containing quantities of slag) and buildingplatforms (which were the main furnace workingareas). Roman Lode is an extensive and complex siteof openworks and bell-shaped quarry pits, indicatingthat there was a long period of exploitation of irondeposits here. Much of the Exmoor Iron Projectresearch has been added to the Exmoor NationalPark Historic Environment Record (ENPHER), andfurther academic publication will be produced by theUniversity of Exeter in due course.

In the meantime ‘A Field Guide to Exmoor’s Early IronIndustry’ has been written and will be published in May2010. It will describe the evidence for early mining andiron smelting and will list places where you can seevisible remains and follow the iron industry from itsRoman beginnings to the medieval period.

The booklet has been written by Dr Lee Bray whoworked on the Exmoor Iron Project and subsequentlyhas worked as an archaeologist for Exmoor NationalPark Authority; it also contains a series of colourreconstruction drawings by Anne Leaver as well as sitemaps and air photographs.The booklet will be availablefrom National Park Centres and other local outlets.

In the steps of Exmoor’soldest iron masters

Right: A Reconstruction showing Romaniron smelting at Blacklake Wood nearDulverton (© Anne Leaver)Below: Excavation of the SherracombeFord iron smelting site (photo RobWilson-North, ENPA)

The remains of the early iron industry on Exmoorwere investigated by the University of Exeter between2001 and 2005 with funding from English Heritage.

Not just aliving but away of lifeDuring the recent England’s Past for Everyoneproject on Exmoor, a survey of farmsteads wascarried out by local volunteers. During thatwork volunteers met a number of farmers whohave a detailed knowledge of the history anduses of the buildings. Several of these farmerskindly agreed to be interviewed for the project,but it was felt that, to do justice to them andtheir farmsteads, a selection of high qualityphotographs should be commissioned tocapture the essence of these places.

In April 2009 we were pleased to be able towork with Chris Chapman - best known for hisstunning photographs and films of Dartmoorand for his work during the Foot and MouthDisease outbreak. Chris photographed a smallselection of farms and farmers, and his imagessensitively complement the spoken word.

Top: Silcombe, threshing barnAbove: Silcombe looking southBelow: Arthur Knight, Wydon Farm


Oral Histories of ExmoorVolunteers Please

Many of the oral historyrecordings of Exmoor canbe accessed through theExmoor National ParkHistoric EnvironmentRecord (ENPHER),TheSomerset County RecordOffice and the DulvertonHeritage Centre.

Oral history interviewsare a valuable way torecord memories thatwould otherwise be lostto future generations.They are a unique way ofcollecting importantinformation about thepast, and can beextremely helpful whenresearching the history ofExmoor. This is why wewould like to encouragethose of you with aninterest in recording oralhistory to get in touchwith us. We have soundrecording equipment andcan provide access totraining. If you feel thatyou could volunteer sometime to undertake oralhistory projects, pleasecontact the HistoricEnvironment RecordOfficer (details are on thelast page).

Left: John Tucker atStetfold Rocks, ExfordBelow: Silcombe Farm, Oareboth photos (© University ofLondon, Chris Chapman. Takenas part of the England’s Past forEveryone Project, funded byHeritage Lottery Fund)

Local ListThere are over 6000 sites of historic interest onExmoor; only a small proportion are protected bydesignation with 200 Scheduled Monuments and 1000Listed Buildings.The Historic Environment Team issetting up a ‘Local List’ which will highlight those sitesof national importance or local distinctiveness that arenot protected. Inclusion on the list would ensure thatsites of significance to Exmoor and the localcommunity are recognised. The inclusion criteria forthe list has been carefully crafted to ensure that onlysites that meet rigorous scrutiny are included.

Giving advice onaspects of the historicenvironmentOne of the roles of Exmoor National Park Authority’sHistoric Environment Team is to provide curatorialadvice - for archaeology and historic buildings - to theplanning process.This activity takes place all the time,but in November 2009 involved the provision ofadvice during groundworks in Dulverton churchyard.The church was built in the 13th century and wasremodelled in 1852-5, but it is likely that the site,dominating the medieval market town, dates frombefore the Norman Conquest.Any grounddisturbance would have been likely to have anarchaeological impact. In reality, the works - toprovide better access to the church - had relativelylittle impact. However, the remains of several

unmarked graves were encountered no more than 15cms below the present ground surface. The humanremains were carefully removed and then re-interredclose by within the graveyard.

Other applications range from new builds for localneeds housing, extensions, conservatories anddevelopment for local businesses.Applications relatingto renewable energy have increased significantly, solarpanels, ground source heat recovery and windturbines all have implications for the historicenvironment.The distinctive and wonderful historiclandscape of Exmoor is often affected by developmentand leisure trends such as new agricultural buildingsand construction of ménages.The HistoricEnvironment team deal with all planning applicationsin relation to Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments,Conservation Areas, historic buildings and sites witharchaeological potential.We deal with an average of400 applications a year.We strive to achieve a balancebetween the needs of the applicant and safeguardingthe qualities that make Exmoor so special.

Exmoor National Park Local Plan contains an Annexentitled ‘The conduct of Historic Building Recordingand Archaeology within Exmoor National Park’, thisdocument provides guidance to developers andplanning applicants on the process relating to planningand the historic environment.

In recent years there have been several projects aimed at recordingpeople’s memories of Exmoor: Birdie Johnston’s Exmoor Reflectionsproject in the 1990s,The Exmoor Flood Memories Project in 2005 andmore recently an offshoot of the England’s Past for Everyone projectrecorded the knowledge and memories of a handful of Exmoor farmers.

Valley MiresThe three year ExmoorValley Mires Project being carried out by HeatherAdams(University of Plymouth) is now in its final year. The aim of the PhD project is toquantify the extent and condition of small mire sites on Exmoor.These mireshave enormous palaeo-environmental potential and as a result the ability toincrease our knowledge of the landscape.The field work phase of surveying,collecting data and monitoring is now over. During the course of this yearHeather will be looking at water table monitoring data to determine theeffect of drainage and cut features on the hydrology of sites, pollenidentification and condition assessment of peat samples as well as identifyingtestate amoebae in core samples and humification analysis of peat from cores.

Seven local volunteers have helpedHeather over the last two yearsand she is extremely grateful for alltheir assistance and commitment,often in rather trying conditions.

The pollen analysis is integral to the Exmoor Valley Mires Project inproviding vital site specific data but the results will also add to thewider understanding of the dates of key archaeological sites that arewithin or near the study areas. Both the University of Leicester andBristol University excavations yielded secure archaeological depositsthat are datable and both have been sent for radiocarbon dating.All ofwhich will increase the chronological knowledge of the archaeologicallandscape across vast tracts of Exmoor.


AndyWoodcock reflects on the 9th ExmoorArchaeology Forum, on 22 October 2009.

The forum saw us exploring 19th century iron miningin the Brendon Hills through the work of the WestSomerset Mineral Railway Project.

Held at Ralegh’s Cross, close to the centre of thisformer area of industrial activity, we were treated to amorning of illustrated talks followed by an afternoon offield trips to see some of the sites on the ground. If theformat of the day was different from previous yearsthen so was the composition of the large andenthusiastic audience. Not only were regular attendeesof the Forum well represented but also many of thevolunteers who have been working on the Project.

Whilst Mike Jones told us of the history of ironmining and of the West Somerset Mineral Railway,David Dawson explained how the Project haddeveloped and of the many agencies and organisationswho have been involved. Mary Olszewska spoke of theways in which the Project was being used to engagethe community at all levels, Phil Gannon gave avolunteer’s perspective and Robin Miller an insightinto the conservation of various sites.

Lunch offered an opportunity to view progress on thenew website (www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk),before field trips to visit sites on the Brendon Hillsand in Watchet.

This was a day packed with interest which fuelled ourenthusiasm for this former industrial landscape,surprised us at the extent to which nature hadreclaimed the sites and left us with regret that somuch had been destroyed by past generations; in all aday that recognised the success of what had beenachieved so far but left us determined to ensure thatthe legacy of the Project continues into the future.

The 9th ExmoorArchaeology Forum

During the summer of 2009 work continued onthe Exmoor Miniliths Project (reported on in lastyear’s Review).The project team led by Dr MarkGillings and Dr Jeremy Taylor from the Universityof Leicester with Dr Josh Pollard from theUniversity of Bristol, concentrated on the longeast-west spur of Lanacombe north ofSimonsbath. Lanacombe has a series of groups ofprehistoric standing stones, set at intervals alongthe spur. One of the questions posed is ‘are thestanding stones in isolation, or are they part of amore extensive prehistoric landscape?’

Excavations were opened at several locations toinvestigate a series of stony spreads which justpoke through the turf and other areas suggestedby geophysical survey in 2008.The excavationsrevealed several stone cairns (pictured above)probably dating from the middle Bronze Agearound 3500 years ago, and some probableembryonic field systems. The picture which isnow emerging, is one of a very busy landscape atthis time - the standing stones forming a highlyvisible part of a much more extensive andcomplex Bronze Age landscape. It is hoped thatwork will continue in 2010.

Lanacombe -investigating theBronze Age landscape

Above: The landscape of valley miresRight: Monitoring work in progressBelow: Swap Hill near Larkbarrowwith mire in the foreground


Exmoorthe Making of anEnglish UplandOn 3 June 2009 the most significant book on Exmoor’s historyfor many years was published.The book was launched at an eventin Dulverton Town Hall which also celebrated the results of theEngland’s Past for Everyone project which led to the book.Present were the author, Mary Siraut (County Editor of theSomerset Victoria County History), local volunteers and farmerswho had helped with the project, and representatives fromorganisations and bodies which have supported the projectincluding the Victoria County History, Somerset County Council,Exmoor National Park Authority and the Exmoor Society.

The book investigates the history of 12 parishes in southernExmoor from prehistoric times until the middle of the 20thcentury. It tries to go beyond history and find out howExmoor’s communities have shaped and been shaped by theirlocal landscape with all its vagaries, challenges and peculiarities.The book cover -from a wonderful watercolour by Anne le Bas - shows a typical view of theExmoor landscape with a shepherd on horseback driving a flock of sheep. Itconjures up the working title of one of the book chapters:‘mainly sheep’!

Scheduled Monumentsat Risk surveyScheduled Monuments are designated because they arenationally important and are the most valuablearchaeological sites. On Exmoor scheduled sites includeprehistoric burial mounds, standing stones and hillforts,Roman fortlets, medieval settlements and structures,industrial monuments andWWII pillboxes. Althoughprotected by law, Scheduled Monuments are still at riskfrom a wide range of processes such as agriculturalintensification, forestry, development and natural forceslike coastal erosion. In order to ensure that ScheduledMonuments are in good condition and being managedsensitively ENPA conducts a field survey of the 200 sitesevery five years.

During the summer of 2009 Dr Lee Bray carried outthe condition survey.The results of the survey willinform and focus conservation works during the nextfive years. They will be funded through various fundingstreams including a partnership scheme betweenENPA and English Heritage called The MonumentManagement Scheme and through EnvironmentalStewardship.

The variety of monument types that are scheduled onExmoor meant that Lee covered all aspects of theExmoor landscape from remote moorland to urban

centres,“from the isolation and remoteness of TroutHill to dodging traffic on the A39 was all part of adays work”.The results of the survey are interestingand the overriding message is how the climate andreduced stocking is impacting on our archaeology.Vegetation and scrub encroachment have always beenthe biggest threat to the condition of monuments onExmoor. Since the last survey in 2004 there has beena distinct and significant increase in sites under threatfrom gorse, bracken and scrub. A total of 87monuments are affected to some degree byvegetation and of those 33 are regarded as significant,severe or extreme.While only 15 monuments areregarded as suffering from environmental damagesuch as erosion and weathering, it is worthhighlighting that 4 of those sites are rated as havingsignificant or severe damage.

Overall the results are positive with 151 sites, over threequarter of Exmoor’s Scheduled Monuments, being invery good, good or moderate condition. 44 sites havebeen rated as poor or bad and no sites were rated asvery bad. Of the 44 sites in bad or poor conditionwork is already progressing on 23 sites.

The most significant element of the report is trendprediction; whilst this cannot be completely accurateit does highlight sites which may deteriorate duringthe next five years. Once again vegetation change isthe most significant predicted damage.

The Romans inDunster?During the summer of 2009 visitors to Dunster’sNational Park Centre were treated to a touringexhibition about the Roman south-west.The event,organised by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum inExeter, showcased objects from the Exmoor regionand explained how they related to the wider Romanworld.The exhibition was kicked off by Romansoldiers from the Ermine Street Guard.

Porlock Bay MonitoringArchaeological monitoring of the coastal erosion atPorlock Bay continues. Fortunately 2009 saw littlechange and the shingle ridge has been relatively stableover the last year. One point of interest is thereappears to be more red sand in the system than inprevious years to the extent that the submergedforest is now rarely visible. The sand is beginning toencroach on the paleao-channel further up the surface.These channels contain a wealth of environmentalevidence about the prehistoric salt marsh; hazel nutsand organic material are visible in bands. As a result ofthe encroaching sand and the increased exposure of

the organic bands small sections have been excavatedand the samples sent for analysis.


Hunter gatheringExcavations at the hunter gatherer site atHawkcombe Head continued during 2009.The dig,led by Dr Paula Gardiner (University of Bristol),continues to reveal the traces of Exmoor’s oldestinhabitants (some 8000 years ago) in the form offragmentary hearths and the postholes of possiblestructures.This year a fragment of bone (as yetunidentified) was found which will hopefully bedated by radiocarbon analysis and may shed furtherlight on the Exmoor hunter-gatherer way of life.

The Old Mineral LineOnlineDuring the course of the West Somerset MineralRailway Project, a new website has been created byHeike Bernhardt (WSMR Project Assistant).Thewebsite gives access to information about thehistory of the line and users will be able to findhistoric photographs, a selection of Mike Jones’plans and drawings of sites and buildings, teachingresources, downloadable leaflets and much more.Visit: www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk

EnvironmentalStewardshipThe Environmental Stewardship Scheme is now fullyfunctional on Exmoor.Whilst the majority oflandowners and farmers are still in the previousEnvironmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme, therehas been a steady stream of applications to the newscheme. Exmoor is a target area for Higher LevelStewardship and large areas of Exmoor’s moorlandhave been put into the new scheme.Part of the HLS application is the production of aFarm Environment Plan (FEP) which includes acomprehensive report and management advice forall historic features on the holding.The remainingESA agreements on Exmoor will all come to an endby 2013 so it is anticipated that the HistoricEnvironment team will be busy producing reportsand getting positive management for sites andfeatures through HLS over the next three years.A new element of Environmental Stewardship will bestarting in July 2010, Upland Entry Level Scheme (UELS)replaces the Hill Farm Allowance and will be animportant vehicle for providing environmental gain onExmoor’s upland farms.

Professional WorkPlacementsDuring 2009 three professional work placementswere hosted or jointly hosted on Exmoor, with theuniversities of Bristol and Exeter. Naomi Hughescarried out a condition survey of prehistoricstanding stones on land owned by Exmoor NationalPark Authority. Derwyn Gregory carried out

geophysical survey on recently identified huntergatherer sites on Brendon Common with the kindco-operation of the Badgworthy Land Company.Becca Pullen worked with Hazel Riley (one ofEnglish Heritage’s Archaeology Field Investigators)on a survey of the recently discovered prehistoricenclosure on land owned by the National Trust atLittle Hangman near Combe Martin, and on anassessment of the extensive prehistoric landscapearound the Chapman Barrows and at Furzehill.

Mapping Exmoor’sarchaeology from the air

In July 2009 the 2 year project to map Exmoor’sarchaeology from air photographs was completed.12,000 photographs were examined; over 2200previously unknown sites were recorded and 600existing sites had extra information added,representing a 70% increase.

The project - part of English Heritage’s NationalMapping Programme - was funded by English Heritageand involved the full time employment of twoarchaeologists on Exmoor National Park Authoritystaff for two years.The results of the project haveadded greatly to our knowledge about Exmoor’s pastand will inform conservation and research intoExmoor’s historic environment for years to come;they will be available to the general public through theExmoor National Park Historic Environment Record.

A wide range of monuments dating from prehistory tothe twentieth century have been recorded. Highlightsinclude a spectacularly situated hilltop enclosure onthe costal cliffs of Little Hangman near Combe Martin.This enclosure is probably prehistoric in date, andpotentially dates to the Neolithic or Bronze Age.

Previouslyunrecorded evidencefor the Iron Age andRomano-Britishsettlement of theExmoor area wasalso identified,including unusualexamples ofcropmark enclosuresvisible on thewestern and easternfringes of theNational Park,including hints of apossible Roman roadnear Stogumber.

Most monuments, however, were visible asearthworks or former earthworks, and the greatestimpact of the survey was on the medieval and post-medieval periods, relating particularly to thereclamation and improvement of Exmoor. Forinstance, over 650 hillside irrigation systems wererecorded. For the first time the evidence of theKnight family’s ambitious 19th century improvementschemes on the former Royal Forest has beenmapped in detail with massive drainage systemscovering over 240 hectares.

The survey also added to our understanding of WWIIactivity on Exmoor, including the remains of a wirelesscommunication station at Lynton and the site of atemporary searchlight battery at Holcombe Water.The overall extent of the Exmoor Firing Ranges wasalso identified for the first time - covering over 22square kilometres.

In December 2009 Exmoor National Park Authorityobtained 100% funding from English Heritage for aproject to publish the results of the National MappingProgramme.The book will focus on the archaeologyof reclamation - in other words, the evidence for howpeople have attempted to farm Exmoor frommedieval times to the end of the 19th century. Aspart of the project a series of thematic essays willalso be produced to introduce the subject matter ofthe Exmoor National Park Historic EnvironmentRecord.

Little Hangman and theExmoor Coast© English HeritageAbove: The boundary ofthe former Royal Forestin remote country nearBadgworthy Water


The West Somerset Mineral Railway - known locallyas The Old Mineral Line - runs from Gupworthy onthe Brendon Hills to the west Somerset coast atWatchet. It connected the once thriving iron mines ofthe Brendon Hills and the communities that servedthem during the Victorian period, with the SevernEstuary at Watchet. Beyond Watchet quay, boatsconveyed iron ore across the Severn to the greatfurnaces of Ebbw Vale in south Wales.

The local communities which came into existence tosupport the enterprise have long gone, leaving behindthe remains of cottages, schools, chapels and shops, aswell as those of the railway and the iron mines.Together these places evoke a strong sense of thescale and ambition of the Victorians.

During 2008 and 2009 a local consortium oforganisations and individuals with specialist interestshas been busy conserving and interpreting aspects ofthe Old Mineral Line and its landscape.Those effortsare nearly complete.

Exmoor Mines Research Group

Exmoor National Park Authority

Exmoor Society

Forestry Commission

Somerset County Council

Somerset Rural Youth Project

Watchet Market House Museum

Watchet Town Council

West Somerset Council

� Three important industrial structures have beenconserved

� An education and events programme has beenrun with local schools and 600 pupils between 3and 18 have enjoyed site visits.

� There has been a lecture series, monthly guidedtours and drop in events. 1140 members of thepublic have attended events.

� An online learning resource has been produced.It includes teachers’ packs, images, reconstructiondrawings, an interactive flyover map, voiceoversusing characters from the past and video footageof the Project.

� Displays in Watchet Market House Museum havebeen improved and two working models havebeen made which help tell the story of the OldMineral Line to visitors to the Somerset coast.

� A website about the West Somerset MineralRailway has been developed, which includesteachers’ resources, contemporary photographsand the results of the Brendon Hills IndustrialSurvey and much more.

� A leaflet series has been printed, with newlycommissioned colour reconstruction drawings.

� On site interpretation is being produced.

� A highly detailed,authoritative monographhas been printed aboutthe West SomersetMineral Railway and theBrendon Hills ironmining.

� Access to Watchet WestPier has been improved,and the rails of the OldMineral Line have beenlocated, excavated andexposed.

� The popular trail whichruns from Watchet toWashford along thetrackbed has beenimproved.

By the end of the project we will also have:

� Completed other physical access improvements.

� Published a popular book on the West SomersetMineral Railway (publication date late summer2010).

For more information visit:www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk

The West SomersetMineral Railway

Brendon Hill VillageIllustration by Anne Leaver


Hunter gatheringExcavations at the hunter gatherer site atHawkcombe Head continued during 2009.The dig,led by Dr Paula Gardiner (University of Bristol),continues to reveal the traces of Exmoor’s oldestinhabitants (some 8000 years ago) in the form offragmentary hearths and the postholes of possiblestructures.This year a fragment of bone (as yetunidentified) was found which will hopefully bedated by radiocarbon analysis and may shed furtherlight on the Exmoor hunter-gatherer way of life.

The Old Mineral LineOnlineDuring the course of the West Somerset MineralRailway Project, a new website has been created byHeike Bernhardt (WSMR Project Assistant).Thewebsite gives access to information about thehistory of the line and users will be able to findhistoric photographs, a selection of Mike Jones’plans and drawings of sites and buildings, teachingresources, downloadable leaflets and much more.Visit: www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk

EnvironmentalStewardshipThe Environmental Stewardship Scheme is now fullyfunctional on Exmoor.Whilst the majority oflandowners and farmers are still in the previousEnvironmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme, therehas been a steady stream of applications to the newscheme. Exmoor is a target area for Higher LevelStewardship and large areas of Exmoor’s moorlandhave been put into the new scheme.Part of the HLS application is the production of aFarm Environment Plan (FEP) which includes acomprehensive report and management advice forall historic features on the holding.The remainingESA agreements on Exmoor will all come to an endby 2013 so it is anticipated that the HistoricEnvironment team will be busy producing reportsand getting positive management for sites andfeatures through HLS over the next three years.A new element of Environmental Stewardship will bestarting in July 2010, Upland Entry Level Scheme (UELS)replaces the Hill Farm Allowance and will be animportant vehicle for providing environmental gain onExmoor’s upland farms.

Professional WorkPlacementsDuring 2009 three professional work placementswere hosted or jointly hosted on Exmoor, with theuniversities of Bristol and Exeter. Naomi Hughescarried out a condition survey of prehistoricstanding stones on land owned by Exmoor NationalPark Authority. Derwyn Gregory carried out

geophysical survey on recently identified huntergatherer sites on Brendon Common with the kindco-operation of the Badgworthy Land Company.Becca Pullen worked with Hazel Riley (one ofEnglish Heritage’s Archaeology Field Investigators)on a survey of the recently discovered prehistoricenclosure on land owned by the National Trust atLittle Hangman near Combe Martin, and on anassessment of the extensive prehistoric landscapearound the Chapman Barrows and at Furzehill.

Mapping Exmoor’sarchaeology from the air

In July 2009 the 2 year project to map Exmoor’sarchaeology from air photographs was completed.12,000 photographs were examined; over 2200previously unknown sites were recorded and 600existing sites had extra information added,representing a 70% increase.

The project - part of English Heritage’s NationalMapping Programme - was funded by English Heritageand involved the full time employment of twoarchaeologists on Exmoor National Park Authoritystaff for two years.The results of the project haveadded greatly to our knowledge about Exmoor’s pastand will inform conservation and research intoExmoor’s historic environment for years to come;they will be available to the general public through theExmoor National Park Historic Environment Record.

A wide range of monuments dating from prehistory tothe twentieth century have been recorded. Highlightsinclude a spectacularly situated hilltop enclosure onthe costal cliffs of Little Hangman near Combe Martin.This enclosure is probably prehistoric in date, andpotentially dates to the Neolithic or Bronze Age.

Previouslyunrecorded evidencefor the Iron Age andRomano-Britishsettlement of theExmoor area wasalso identified,including unusualexamples ofcropmark enclosuresvisible on thewestern and easternfringes of theNational Park,including hints of apossible Roman roadnear Stogumber.

Most monuments, however, were visible asearthworks or former earthworks, and the greatestimpact of the survey was on the medieval and post-medieval periods, relating particularly to thereclamation and improvement of Exmoor. Forinstance, over 650 hillside irrigation systems wererecorded. For the first time the evidence of theKnight family’s ambitious 19th century improvementschemes on the former Royal Forest has beenmapped in detail with massive drainage systemscovering over 240 hectares.

The survey also added to our understanding of WWIIactivity on Exmoor, including the remains of a wirelesscommunication station at Lynton and the site of atemporary searchlight battery at Holcombe Water.The overall extent of the Exmoor Firing Ranges wasalso identified for the first time - covering over 22square kilometres.

In December 2009 Exmoor National Park Authorityobtained 100% funding from English Heritage for aproject to publish the results of the National MappingProgramme.The book will focus on the archaeologyof reclamation - in other words, the evidence for howpeople have attempted to farm Exmoor frommedieval times to the end of the 19th century. Aspart of the project a series of thematic essays willalso be produced to introduce the subject matter ofthe Exmoor National Park Historic EnvironmentRecord.

Little Hangman and theExmoor Coast© English HeritageAbove: The boundary ofthe former Royal Forestin remote country nearBadgworthy Water


Exmoorthe Making of anEnglish UplandOn 3 June 2009 the most significant book on Exmoor’s historyfor many years was published.The book was launched at an eventin Dulverton Town Hall which also celebrated the results of theEngland’s Past for Everyone project which led to the book.Present were the author, Mary Siraut (County Editor of theSomerset Victoria County History), local volunteers and farmerswho had helped with the project, and representatives fromorganisations and bodies which have supported the projectincluding the Victoria County History, Somerset County Council,Exmoor National Park Authority and the Exmoor Society.

The book investigates the history of 12 parishes in southernExmoor from prehistoric times until the middle of the 20thcentury. It tries to go beyond history and find out howExmoor’s communities have shaped and been shaped by theirlocal landscape with all its vagaries, challenges and peculiarities.The book cover -from a wonderful watercolour by Anne le Bas - shows a typical view of theExmoor landscape with a shepherd on horseback driving a flock of sheep. Itconjures up the working title of one of the book chapters:‘mainly sheep’!

Scheduled Monumentsat Risk surveyScheduled Monuments are designated because they arenationally important and are the most valuablearchaeological sites. On Exmoor scheduled sites includeprehistoric burial mounds, standing stones and hillforts,Roman fortlets, medieval settlements and structures,industrial monuments andWWII pillboxes. Althoughprotected by law, Scheduled Monuments are still at riskfrom a wide range of processes such as agriculturalintensification, forestry, development and natural forceslike coastal erosion. In order to ensure that ScheduledMonuments are in good condition and being managedsensitively ENPA conducts a field survey of the 200 sitesevery five years.

During the summer of 2009 Dr Lee Bray carried outthe condition survey.The results of the survey willinform and focus conservation works during the nextfive years. They will be funded through various fundingstreams including a partnership scheme betweenENPA and English Heritage called The MonumentManagement Scheme and through EnvironmentalStewardship.

The variety of monument types that are scheduled onExmoor meant that Lee covered all aspects of theExmoor landscape from remote moorland to urban

centres,“from the isolation and remoteness of TroutHill to dodging traffic on the A39 was all part of adays work”.The results of the survey are interestingand the overriding message is how the climate andreduced stocking is impacting on our archaeology.Vegetation and scrub encroachment have always beenthe biggest threat to the condition of monuments onExmoor. Since the last survey in 2004 there has beena distinct and significant increase in sites under threatfrom gorse, bracken and scrub. A total of 87monuments are affected to some degree byvegetation and of those 33 are regarded as significant,severe or extreme.While only 15 monuments areregarded as suffering from environmental damagesuch as erosion and weathering, it is worthhighlighting that 4 of those sites are rated as havingsignificant or severe damage.

Overall the results are positive with 151 sites, over threequarter of Exmoor’s Scheduled Monuments, being invery good, good or moderate condition. 44 sites havebeen rated as poor or bad and no sites were rated asvery bad. Of the 44 sites in bad or poor conditionwork is already progressing on 23 sites.

The most significant element of the report is trendprediction; whilst this cannot be completely accurateit does highlight sites which may deteriorate duringthe next five years. Once again vegetation change isthe most significant predicted damage.

The Romans inDunster?During the summer of 2009 visitors to Dunster’sNational Park Centre were treated to a touringexhibition about the Roman south-west.The event,organised by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum inExeter, showcased objects from the Exmoor regionand explained how they related to the wider Romanworld.The exhibition was kicked off by Romansoldiers from the Ermine Street Guard.

Porlock Bay MonitoringArchaeological monitoring of the coastal erosion atPorlock Bay continues. Fortunately 2009 saw littlechange and the shingle ridge has been relatively stableover the last year. One point of interest is thereappears to be more red sand in the system than inprevious years to the extent that the submergedforest is now rarely visible. The sand is beginning toencroach on the paleao-channel further up the surface.These channels contain a wealth of environmentalevidence about the prehistoric salt marsh; hazel nutsand organic material are visible in bands. As a result ofthe encroaching sand and the increased exposure of

the organic bands small sections have been excavatedand the samples sent for analysis.

Valley MiresThe three year ExmoorValley Mires Project being carried out by HeatherAdams(University of Plymouth) is now in its final year. The aim of the PhD project is toquantify the extent and condition of small mire sites on Exmoor.These mireshave enormous palaeo-environmental potential and as a result the ability toincrease our knowledge of the landscape.The field work phase of surveying,collecting data and monitoring is now over. During the course of this yearHeather will be looking at water table monitoring data to determine theeffect of drainage and cut features on the hydrology of sites, pollenidentification and condition assessment of peat samples as well as identifyingtestate amoebae in core samples and humification analysis of peat from cores.

Seven local volunteers have helpedHeather over the last two yearsand she is extremely grateful for alltheir assistance and commitment,often in rather trying conditions.

The pollen analysis is integral to the Exmoor Valley Mires Project inproviding vital site specific data but the results will also add to thewider understanding of the dates of key archaeological sites that arewithin or near the study areas. Both the University of Leicester andBristol University excavations yielded secure archaeological depositsthat are datable and both have been sent for radiocarbon dating.All ofwhich will increase the chronological knowledge of the archaeologicallandscape across vast tracts of Exmoor.


AndyWoodcock reflects on the 9th ExmoorArchaeology Forum, on 22 October 2009.

The forum saw us exploring 19th century iron miningin the Brendon Hills through the work of the WestSomerset Mineral Railway Project.

Held at Ralegh’s Cross, close to the centre of thisformer area of industrial activity, we were treated to amorning of illustrated talks followed by an afternoon offield trips to see some of the sites on the ground. If theformat of the day was different from previous yearsthen so was the composition of the large andenthusiastic audience. Not only were regular attendeesof the Forum well represented but also many of thevolunteers who have been working on the Project.

Whilst Mike Jones told us of the history of ironmining and of the West Somerset Mineral Railway,David Dawson explained how the Project haddeveloped and of the many agencies and organisationswho have been involved. Mary Olszewska spoke of theways in which the Project was being used to engagethe community at all levels, Phil Gannon gave avolunteer’s perspective and Robin Miller an insightinto the conservation of various sites.

Lunch offered an opportunity to view progress on thenew website (www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk),before field trips to visit sites on the Brendon Hillsand in Watchet.

This was a day packed with interest which fuelled ourenthusiasm for this former industrial landscape,surprised us at the extent to which nature hadreclaimed the sites and left us with regret that somuch had been destroyed by past generations; in all aday that recognised the success of what had beenachieved so far but left us determined to ensure thatthe legacy of the Project continues into the future.

The 9th ExmoorArchaeology Forum

During the summer of 2009 work continued onthe Exmoor Miniliths Project (reported on in lastyear’s Review).The project team led by Dr MarkGillings and Dr Jeremy Taylor from the Universityof Leicester with Dr Josh Pollard from theUniversity of Bristol, concentrated on the longeast-west spur of Lanacombe north ofSimonsbath. Lanacombe has a series of groups ofprehistoric standing stones, set at intervals alongthe spur. One of the questions posed is ‘are thestanding stones in isolation, or are they part of amore extensive prehistoric landscape?’

Excavations were opened at several locations toinvestigate a series of stony spreads which justpoke through the turf and other areas suggestedby geophysical survey in 2008.The excavationsrevealed several stone cairns (pictured above)probably dating from the middle Bronze Agearound 3500 years ago, and some probableembryonic field systems. The picture which isnow emerging, is one of a very busy landscape atthis time - the standing stones forming a highlyvisible part of a much more extensive andcomplex Bronze Age landscape. It is hoped thatwork will continue in 2010.

Lanacombe -investigating theBronze Age landscape

Above: The landscape of valley miresRight: Monitoring work in progressBelow: Swap Hill near Larkbarrowwith mire in the foreground


Oral Histories of ExmoorVolunteers Please

Many of the oral historyrecordings of Exmoor canbe accessed through theExmoor National ParkHistoric EnvironmentRecord (ENPHER),TheSomerset County RecordOffice and the DulvertonHeritage Centre.

Oral history interviewsare a valuable way torecord memories thatwould otherwise be lostto future generations.They are a unique way ofcollecting importantinformation about thepast, and can beextremely helpful whenresearching the history ofExmoor. This is why wewould like to encouragethose of you with aninterest in recording oralhistory to get in touchwith us. We have soundrecording equipment andcan provide access totraining. If you feel thatyou could volunteer sometime to undertake oralhistory projects, pleasecontact the HistoricEnvironment RecordOfficer (details are on thelast page).

Left: John Tucker atStetfold Rocks, ExfordBelow: Silcombe Farm, Oareboth photos (© University ofLondon, Chris Chapman. Takenas part of the England’s Past forEveryone Project, funded byHeritage Lottery Fund)

Local ListThere are over 6000 sites of historic interest onExmoor; only a small proportion are protected bydesignation with 200 Scheduled Monuments and 1000Listed Buildings.The Historic Environment Team issetting up a ‘Local List’ which will highlight those sitesof national importance or local distinctiveness that arenot protected. Inclusion on the list would ensure thatsites of significance to Exmoor and the localcommunity are recognised. The inclusion criteria forthe list has been carefully crafted to ensure that onlysites that meet rigorous scrutiny are included.

Giving advice onaspects of the historicenvironmentOne of the roles of Exmoor National Park Authority’sHistoric Environment Team is to provide curatorialadvice - for archaeology and historic buildings - to theplanning process.This activity takes place all the time,but in November 2009 involved the provision ofadvice during groundworks in Dulverton churchyard.The church was built in the 13th century and wasremodelled in 1852-5, but it is likely that the site,dominating the medieval market town, dates frombefore the Norman Conquest.Any grounddisturbance would have been likely to have anarchaeological impact. In reality, the works - toprovide better access to the church - had relativelylittle impact. However, the remains of several

unmarked graves were encountered no more than 15cms below the present ground surface. The humanremains were carefully removed and then re-interredclose by within the graveyard.

Other applications range from new builds for localneeds housing, extensions, conservatories anddevelopment for local businesses.Applications relatingto renewable energy have increased significantly, solarpanels, ground source heat recovery and windturbines all have implications for the historicenvironment.The distinctive and wonderful historiclandscape of Exmoor is often affected by developmentand leisure trends such as new agricultural buildingsand construction of ménages.The HistoricEnvironment team deal with all planning applicationsin relation to Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments,Conservation Areas, historic buildings and sites witharchaeological potential.We deal with an average of400 applications a year.We strive to achieve a balancebetween the needs of the applicant and safeguardingthe qualities that make Exmoor so special.

Exmoor National Park Local Plan contains an Annexentitled ‘The conduct of Historic Building Recordingand Archaeology within Exmoor National Park’, thisdocument provides guidance to developers andplanning applicants on the process relating to planningand the historic environment.

In recent years there have been several projects aimed at recordingpeople’s memories of Exmoor: Birdie Johnston’s Exmoor Reflectionsproject in the 1990s,The Exmoor Flood Memories Project in 2005 andmore recently an offshoot of the England’s Past for Everyone projectrecorded the knowledge and memories of a handful of Exmoor farmers.


The project investigated a number of sites, includingSherracombe Ford and Roman Lode and sites in theBarle valley, with fieldwork, geophysical survey,excavation and analysis of pollen, charcoal andceramics, and a sequence of radiocarbon dates.Sherracombe Ford is one of the most well preservediron smelting sites on Exmoor, surviving as wasteheaps (containing quantities of slag) and buildingplatforms (which were the main furnace workingareas). Roman Lode is an extensive and complex siteof openworks and bell-shaped quarry pits, indicatingthat there was a long period of exploitation of irondeposits here. Much of the Exmoor Iron Projectresearch has been added to the Exmoor NationalPark Historic Environment Record (ENPHER), andfurther academic publication will be produced by theUniversity of Exeter in due course.

In the meantime ‘A Field Guide to Exmoor’s Early IronIndustry’ has been written and will be published in May2010. It will describe the evidence for early mining andiron smelting and will list places where you can seevisible remains and follow the iron industry from itsRoman beginnings to the medieval period.

The booklet has been written by Dr Lee Bray whoworked on the Exmoor Iron Project and subsequentlyhas worked as an archaeologist for Exmoor NationalPark Authority; it also contains a series of colourreconstruction drawings by Anne Leaver as well as sitemaps and air photographs.The booklet will be availablefrom National Park Centres and other local outlets.

In the steps of Exmoor’soldest iron masters

Right: A Reconstruction showing Romaniron smelting at Blacklake Wood nearDulverton (© Anne Leaver)Below: Excavation of the SherracombeFord iron smelting site (photo RobWilson-North, ENPA)

The remains of the early iron industry on Exmoorwere investigated by the University of Exeter between2001 and 2005 with funding from English Heritage.

Not just aliving but away of lifeDuring the recent England’s Past for Everyoneproject on Exmoor, a survey of farmsteads wascarried out by local volunteers. During thatwork volunteers met a number of farmers whohave a detailed knowledge of the history anduses of the buildings. Several of these farmerskindly agreed to be interviewed for the project,but it was felt that, to do justice to them andtheir farmsteads, a selection of high qualityphotographs should be commissioned tocapture the essence of these places.

In April 2009 we were pleased to be able towork with Chris Chapman - best known for hisstunning photographs and films of Dartmoorand for his work during the Foot and MouthDisease outbreak. Chris photographed a smallselection of farms and farmers, and his imagessensitively complement the spoken word.

Top: Silcombe, threshing barnAbove: Silcombe looking southBelow: Arthur Knight, Wydon Farm

The Exmoor National Park Historic EnvironmentRecord (ENPHER) is now online! Access to theENPHER has been improved. Everyone is stillwelcome to contact the Historic Environment RecordOfficer by email, telephone or in person (byappointment) for enquiries about archaeological sites,historic buildings and other aspects of Exmoor’s past,but there is now also the option of searching therecords online at Heritage Gateway;www.heritagegateway.org.uk.

Heritage Gateway gives you online access to historicenvironment resources allowing you to search localand national heritage records.You are therefore ableto search the Exmoor National Park HistoricEnvironment Record alongside other local HistoricEnvironment Records and Listed Buildings Online,Images of England and PastScape.

Records held within the Exmoor National ParkHistoric Environment Record have doubled since 2008.

A substantial part of the additional information wascompiled by the Devon and Somerset County Councilsbefore being transferred to Exmoor National ParkAuthority.The Authority acknowledges the previouswork carried out over many years by English Heritage,the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments ofEngland, the Ordnance Survey and both CountyCouncils in developing and maintaining the HistoricEnvironment Records for the National Park.The recenttransfer of data has enabled the information to belocalised, so that all historic environment enquiriesrelating to Exmoor National Park can be dealt with byExmoor National Park Authority.

The information held in the ENPHER has beenincreased and improved over the previous fivemonths by the work of a temporary assistant who hasbeen adding information on numerous historic andarchaeological sites, including the late Mesolithic siteof Hawkcombe Head, 10 years of archaeologicalmonitoring at Porlock Bay, conservation on the WestSomerset Mineral Railway and research into Exmoor’searly iron industry.

A programme of content improvement is planned,which will work through the report collection heldwith the ENPHER, ensuring that the database is ascomplete and up-to-date as possible.

For Historic Environment Record enquiries pleaseemail [email protected].

3 Not just a living but a way of life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.3; C1.6

4 Oral Histories of Exmoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C4.2

5 The 9th Exmoor Archaeology Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.4Lanacombe - investigating the Bronze Age landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.1; C1.4

6 Exmoor - the Making of an English Upland C1.3The Romans in Dunster?

7 Hunter gathering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.4The Old Mineral Line Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.4; C5.1Environmental Stewardship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Service PlanProfessional Work Placements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5.7

8 West Somerset Mineral Railway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.4

10 Mapping Exmoor’s archaeology from the air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.7

11 Scheduled Monuments at Risk survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.2 / C2.1Porlock Bay Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.2

12 Valley Mires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1.1 / C1.5

13 Local List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C2.3Giving advice on aspects of the historic environment . . . . . . . . . . . .Service Plan

14 In the steps of Exmoor’s oldest iron masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5.4

15 What do you want to know about Exmoor’s Past? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C5.1

16 Dates for the diaryThe Historic Environment Team


Management Plan/Business Plan Target

What do you want to knowabout Exmoor’s Past?

Contents

Above: Ashwick Theatre from north westBelow: The Sheepfold on Lanacombe.Commonly known locally as ‘BuscombeBeeches’

6

7

9

11

12

Right: Silcombe - interiorof Threshing Barn© Chris Chapman.For more of ChrisChapman’s photos seethe articles on pages 3and 4.

Contact usThe Historic Environment team isbased in Exmoor National ParkAuthority’s Conservation & LandManagement Section at Dulverton:

Exmoor National ParkAuthority,Exmoor House,DulvertonTA22 9HL,01398 323665.

Historic Environment ManagerRobWilson-NorthDirect line: 01398 [email protected]

Historic Buildings OfficerMark ClitherowDirect line: 01398 [email protected]

Conservation Adviser (Archaeology)JessicaTurnerDirect line: 01398 [email protected]

Historic Environment Record OfficerFaye GloverDirect Line: 01398 [email protected]

Externally funded project post:

Aerial Survey OfficerExmoor National Mapping ProgrammeCain Hegarty

Further information about the projects inthis review can be obtained from theHistoric Environment team or from:www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

16 Historic Environment Review 2009

March 2010Dates for the diaryAll these events are listed in the Diary Pages of theExmoorVisitor. Check the Exmoor National ParkAuthority website, local press and visitor centres nearerthe time for full details.

Saturday 17th July to Sunday 1stAugustFestival of BritishArchaeology

Monday 26th July to Sunday 1stAugustNational ParksWeek

Saturday 17th July10th ExmoorArchaeology Forum -IronAge and Roman Exmoor

The 10th Exmoor Archaeology Forum will focus on Iron Age andRoman Exmoor.The day will consist of a series of illustratedlectures by experts and will look at the regional context ofExmoor at this time as well as examining the evidence for IronAge settlement on and around Exmoor.

Please check the Exmoor National Park Authority website, localpress and visitor centres nearer the time for full agenda, bookingdetails and admission charges. (Please note that admission to theForum is by pre-booking only.)

Tuesday 20th JulyOn the edge of Dumnonia - IronAge DunsterDiscover the remarkable Iron Age fortifications around Dunsterwith a National Park Archaeologist.

Friday 23rd JulyFire Breathing Dragons and Pans of Gold -from Pinkery to Chapman BarrowsThis walk uncovers 5000 years of history in one of Exmoor’s mostevocative landscapes.

Saturday 24th JulyMake a Roman MosaicCome along to learn about Roman mosaics and to make yourown Roman style mosaic.This basic mosaic making course willinvolve designing and making a small mosaic which you may keep.Materials are provided and the course is suitable for all (parentalsupervision of under 10s is required).This event is being run aspart of the 2010 Festival of British Archaeology. Limited spaces,Booking required, £2 charge per person (to cover materials).Please contact Jessica Turner on 01398 322289 to book a place.

Friday 30th and Saturday 31st JulyTimberscombe Hillfort Excavation - Open DaysExmoor National Park Archaeologists and local volunteers willbe investigating the Iron Age Hillfort near Timberscombe. Comealong to the site to find out more about the reality of life inExmoor’s Iron Age some 2500 years ago.

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