Summary : Remains of extensive Medieval and later streamworking situated within the Upper Plym Valley and its tributaries. Archaeological field surveys in 1994 and 2005 found the earthworks to be well preserved, bounded by steep sharply defined cliffs up to four metres in height. Other features include parallel spoilheaps and water channels. The site was assessed in 1997, but was not scheduled. The streamworks are visible as earthworks on visualisations of Environment Agency 1m Lidar data flown in 2019. The earthworks from Cadover Bridge to Plym Head, including the River Plym’s tributaries, were mapped from aerial sources in 2023 during the Historic England Dartmoor-Plym project.
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More information : Centred SX 613685. Approximately 9.0ha of streamworking remains on the upper reaches of the River Plym and its tributaries within Dartmoor Forest Parish. The well preserved workings are bounded by steep sharply defined cliffs which are most noticeable on the Plym itself between SX 61106848 and SX 60736816 near the site of the later Wheal Katherine Mine where they reach a height of 4.0m. Adjacent to the river are broad areas displaying the characteristic parallel spoil heaps and former water channels associated with streamworking. The feeder streams on the higher reaches of the river are generally marked by boggy depressions with the occasional protruding spoil heap while the lowest right bank tributary in the investigated area, Crane Lake, has been worked as extensively as the river itself. The workings between SX 60596872 and SX 60766824 on this stream formed the basis of the sett for Wheal Katherine.
The fragmentary remains of two leats formerly supplying the workings on the Plym are visible on the unworked section of floodplain above the right bank of the river. There are no identifiable tinners buildings directly associated with the streamworking activity. (1)
In addition to the above 3.5km of the right bank of the Plym including two tributaries between Crane Lake and Meavy Pool surveyed during Eylesbarrow Project. Approximately 30ha of workings lie adjacent to the river, concentrating on the slower moving sections at the confluence with the Drizzlecombe Brook and at Meavy Pool. A further 6.2ha are contained by a Y-shaped working at Evil Combe and 17ha flank the Drizzlecombe Brook for the entirety of its length. At Meavy Pool the Plym workings are joined by an openwork that extends from further streamworks on the Sheepstor Brook (Monument HOB UID 1313022). A solitary stamping mill (Monument HOB UID 441600) lies adjacent to the tinners cliff immediately beneath Lower Hartor Tor. (2)
In addition to the above are 12ha of workings on Legis Lake in a continuous band from its sources to its confluence with the Plym. The higher parts of the workings are largely marsh-filled and only visible as a slight scarp around the perimeter. The lower, S, end of the workings, near the Plym, are characterised by large linear spoilheaps interspersed with former water channels all contained by massive scarps. There are no buildings associated with the Legis Lake workings. (3)
Langcombe Brook streamworks form part of this streamwork complex. (4)
Site visited 01-JAN-1997 to 31-MAR-1997 and assessed for scheduling. It was not scheduled as it was not considered to be of national importance. (5)
The streamworks are visible as earthworks on visualisations of Environment Agency 1m Lidar data flown in 2019. The earthworks from Cadover Bridge in the south-west to Plym Head in the north-east, including the River Plym’s tributaries, were mapped from aerial sources in 2023 during the Historic England Dartmoor-Plym project. For the purposes of that project, the extent of the streamworks was mapped but not the detail of tyes and spoil heaps. Other features demonstrating the process of tin-streaming works are also visible. They include tinners' huts (NRHE 1631085, NRHE 1358043, NRHE 441679, NRHE 1447849, NRHE 1355726), a tinners' cache (NRHE 1355726), a stamping mill (NRHE 438770) and a blowing house (NRHE 1063602). A number of medieval/post-medieval opencuts are also visible as earthworks in the Upper Plym Valley English Heritage Trust Guardianship area. Parts of the streamworks are scheduled. (6-7)
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