| Abstract: |
A desk-based assessment was carried out as phase 1 of an archaeological survey at the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Prior to the survey Devon Historic Environment Record had 1,710 entries within the area of the AONB. As a result of the present work a further 1279 sites can be added to the Devon HER. Some of these could be classed as new sites found as a direct result of this research, while others, such as those from the National Trust SMR, had not yet been submitted to the Devon HER. There were 29 Scheduled monuments within the area of the AONB. These included some of the coastal Iron Age promontory hillforts and hillslope enclosures and many of the extant Bronze Age barrows. There were 256 Listed structures recorded within the Devon HER. These were mostly designated Grade II (229) and comprised farmhouses, chapels, cottages, outbuildings, walls, limekilns and a mine tunnel at Combe Martin. Most of these buildings were of traditional construction and added enormously to the character of the area. There were 22 Grade II* buildings recorded. These included St. Nectan's holy well in Welcombe, many farmhouses, plasterwork at Brownsham in Hartland, St. Nectan's church in Welcome, Portledge House in Alwington, Watermouth Castle, the Church of St Sabinus at Woolacombe and the Pack of Cards Inn in at Combe Martin. Of particular interest were the six Grade I buildings, which comprised Hartland Abbey House and the parish churches at Hartland, Clovelly, Combe Martin, Georgeham and Mortehoe. Until the medieval period the area of the North Devon AONB was likely to have been a sparsely settled largely rural area. Nevertheless, it did contain important evidence for archaeological activity, either below ground or as earthwork or structural evidence. In the course of this work various themes emerged which would inform and guide priorities for further survey work and interpretation. The survey did not identify areas of unimproved land, where the greater survival and quality of the archaeological resource might be anticipated. However, it was likely that the common lands of Bursdon Moor and Milford have not been subjected to modern intensive agricultural practices. The major woodland areas also had potential, in that good survival of earthworks, structures or industrial deposits could be expected. [Au(adp)] |
