More information : SX 485668 : Earthworks in a field to the west of
Buckland Abbey. Building platforms, terraces and trackways. (1)
Earthworks, centred at SX 48546683, occupy 2.5 ha. of a pasture
field, formerly orchard at the head of a west facing
re-entrant, 200m. N.W. of Buckland Abbey. A streamlet, issuing
from a spring beyond the eastern boundary of the area flows
westwards, roughly bisecting the area, the ground rising to
its N. and S. sides. Towards the western end it is
supplemented, via an adjacent marsh, by another spring which is
partly enclosed by mortared walling.
Apart from some faint lynchetting the main feature to the S. of
the stream is a slight hollow way, shown as a track on the O.S.
6" 1982, and which in 1842 (a) led to a cottage (now
demolished), at SX 48376634, immediately S.W. of the enclosed
and surveyed area.
To the N. of the stream a half dozen platforms have been
levelled into the hillslope, recessed to depths ranging from
0.3m. to 1.1m. Square and rectilinear in plan, they vary in
area from 35 to 400sq.m. It is possible that each incorporated
a building at some period but there are no traces of any stone
foundations. They are arranged irregularly and with the
exception of two 35m. lengths of hollow way, which form a
junction towards the middle of the area, there is no linking
route.
At SX48456682, an area of marsh within an artificially created
depression, evidently a former pond, occupies an are of 0.7 ha.
It is bounded on the N. and E. by scarping which reaches a
maximum height of 1.6m. along the N. side. At the N.E. corner
the plan is distorted by a short lead-in terrace, possibly
outspill from a digging to its N. At the W. end of the marsh a
retaining bank 9m. wide overall and 20m. long crosses the
valley floor so far as the stream. It is 1.6m high on the outer
face but barely 0.4m. high on the inner, where there has been
considerable silting. This pond bay does not continue to the S.
of the stream but here the ground rises steeply and an extended
sluice, 3m to 4m long, would sufficiently retain the water. The
size, form and situation of the work suggest that it was a
fishpond.
From appearance and layout alone it is difficult to judge
whether the earthworks to the N. of the stream fall within a
medieval context and thus were related to the Abbey or
dependant upon it or whether they are associated with
post-Reformation occupation when the Abbey was purchased by the
Grenvilles. On the S. the area is now separated from the
present Abbey grounds and agricultural land by modern fencing
and hedging. On the N a fine estate type wall of mortared slab
stone has been constructed on a terrace. It is unfaced, is not
confined to this area alone, and would seem to be of post-
Medieval date. Fairly good condition; under permanent pasture.
No finds were made.
Surveyed at 1:1000 & 1:2500. Surveyed in co-operation with Dr D
Thackray, the National Trust Field Officer. (2)
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